Man found guilty of murdering Sergeant Matt Ratana while handcuffed in custody

A man who smuggled a gun into police custody and shot dead a sergeant has been found guilty of murder.

Louis De Zoysa, 25, was found guilty today of shooting Sergeant Matt Ratana in the chest during a search at a police station in Windmill Road, Croydon in the early hours of September 25, 2020.

The court heard how De Zoysa was still handcuffed when he opened fire at the sergeant after officers failed to find an antique revolver and holster believed to have been concealed under one of his armpits.

Speaking after the case, Matt’s partner, Su Bushby paid a moving tribute to him.

She said:“Today, Matt’s murderer has been found guilty of taking his life in a cruel and cowardly manner, the effects of which have left me, his family, colleagues and friends without the love and camaraderie he had with so many.

“His life was taken too soon, in the line of duty, doing a job that he loved. A cruel end to a lifetime of service and dedication protecting others.

“While the court case has concluded, the constant feeling of grief and loss continues. My love for Matt, my gentle giant, will never end. He will not be forgotten.”

De Zoysa had been taken into custody after he was found in possession of seven rounds of ammunition during a search in London Road, Norbury, hours earlier.

Northampton Crown Court heard how a second shot hit New Zealand-born Sgt Ratana, who had been a Met officer for almost 30 years, in the leg, while another hit De Zoysa in the neck, leaving him with brain damage.

De Zoysa, who was living in a flat at a farm in Banstead, Surrey, at the time of the shooting, denied murder.

He told jurors that he did not mean to fire the gun and was having a “panic attack” at the time, while his lawyers argued his responsibility was diminished by an autistic meltdown.

De Zoysa had worked for HMRC in Croydon for around 16 months as a data analyst.

He bought the gun, which was legal to own due to its antique status, on the internet in June 2020, and made the ammunition on the farm, the court heard.

The court heard how De Zoysa “retrieved” the weapon from a holster under his left arm, while handcuffed, as he was being transported to Windmill Road in a police van.

CCTV footage suggested he managed to get hold of the gun with his right hand, and place it in a vent at the back of his overcoat to hide until the attack.

He then unleashed four bullets before he was wrestled to the ground by other officers.

The footage also showed officers pulling Sgt Ratana from the cell after the shooting. He died of his injuries in hospital.

De Zoysa is due to be sentenced on July 27 at Northampton Crown Court.

Pictured top: CCTV footage shows Louis De Zoysa, 25, in the police van before he murdered Sergeant Matt Ratana (Picture: PA)