PC Benjamin Monk, aged 41, has been told his scheduled trial could still go ahead as planned despite the current uncertainty surrounding court timetables due to the coronavirus pandemic.

He was charged last year with murder and an alternative charge of manslaughter in connection with an incident in 2016 in which Mr Atkinson was Tasered.

Monk was given permission not to attend a pre-trial hearing, where his case was discussed at Birmingham Crown Court yesterday, because of the lockdown.

The West Mercia Police constable’s colleague, PC Mary Ellen Bettley-Smith, 29, was also excused from attending.

She has entered a not guilty plea to a charge alleging she assaulted Mr Atkinson prior to his death on August 15, 2016.

Both officers were charged following a three-year inquiry into the death of Mr Atkinson, who went into cardiac arrest in an ambulance on his way to hospital after a Taser was fired.

Mr Atkinson, 48, who also played for Ipswich and Aston Villa, was Tasered during an incident near his father’s house in the Trench area of Telford, Shropshire.

Judge Melbourne Inman QC had already set a date for an eight-week trial starting on September 14.

But he addressed the prospect of the case starting on time, given no new jury trials in England and Wales have begun since coronavirus lockdown measures were introduced.

Judge Inman said he had no idea when jury trials would resume but that trials were being listed ‘realistically’ at his court in order of priority.

He said: “At present, trials are not taking place and I have no indication as to when we’ll be in a position to resume.

“That being said, we are listing at this court in logical fashion so we can provide dates we consider are realistic.

“There will be a backlog of trials that have to be listed as a matter of urgency but we are a large court centre and I am confident at present we can accommodate trials of this nature.

“This case will be heard on September 14 subject to unforeseen circumstances – that is the fixed date.”