Atkinson was in ‘manic state’

Former Aston Villa striker Dalian Atkinson threatened to kill his elderly father in a “manic state” before he was Tasered by police, his brother has claimed.

The 48-year-old died 90 minutes after he was hit by the stun gun in the street where he grew up in the Trench area of Telford, Shropshire, in the early hours of Monday morning.

According to relatives Atkinson was suffering from a number of health issues and had a weak heart when he was hit by the weapon at around 1.30am.

The retired footballer went into cardiac arrest in an ambulance on his way to hospital and medics were unable to save him. The death is now under investigation by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC), the police watchdog which investigates all instances when a Taser is used.

Atkinson’s brother, Kenroy, 53, told The Sun the ex-Premier League star had undergone dialysis for kidney failure and was “not in his right mind”. He said his brother had attacked their 85-year-old father, Ernest, at his home on Monday before police were called to the scene.

“My brother had lost it. He was in a manic state and depressed – out of his mind and ranting. He had a tube in his …

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