Man, 25, who ‘shot dead’ Met Police sergeant Matt Ratana appears in court in wheelchair & communicates with whiteboard
A MAN accused of shooting Met Police sergeant Matt Ratana dead appeared in court today in a wheelchair and communicated with a whiteboard.
Louis De Zoysa, 25, allegedly blasted the cop four times during a search at Croydon Custody Centre, South London, on September 25, 2020.
Sgt Ratana, who had served with the Met since 1991, was the first ever officer to be killed inside a British police station.
Prosecutors say he was shot while De Zoysa, of Banstead, Surrey, was handcuffed and in a holding cell.
The first bullet hit Sgt Ratana - leaving him with a fatal wound to the chest.
The fourth and final round hit De Zoysa in the neck, causing injuries to himself.
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During a hearing back in April, De Zoysa denied murder - writing "not guilty" on a whiteboard.
He appeared via video link from a hospital bed where he was being treated for brain damage following the shooting.
His trial, which is expected to last three weeks, started today at Northampton Crown Court.
Appearing in person, De Zoysa was sat in a wheelchair.
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Communicating through a whiteboard again, he confirmed his name and date-of-birth by writing them down.
Judge Mr Justice Johnson told the jury the moments before Sgt Ratana's death were captured on CCTV and officers' body-worn cameras.
He said: "It's likely to be common ground that the defendant had a gun... and that the gun was fired and that two bullets hit Sergeant Ratana.
"A further matter which might arise is whether the defendant had diminished responsibility at the time he shot Sergeant Ratana."
The jury heard De Zoysa is on the autistic spectrum - which "may have an impact on how he appears or behaves" during the trial.
Urging the jury to judge the case on the evidence, Judge Johnson added: "The last [bullet fired] hit the defendant in the neck.
"That resulted in bleeding and a blood clot and the blood clot caused some brain damage.
"That resulted in physical problems which mean he now uses a wheelchair."
Sgt Ratana had tragically been planning to propose to his partner of six years Su Bushby when he was killed.
She previously paid tribute to the hero cop, saying: "There aren’t really any words for how I am feeling right now about the loss of Matt; about losing someone I loved and was so close to in such a tragic manner.
“I know Matt touched many, many people’s lives with his friendliness, patience, kindness, enthusiasm and caring ways.
“I had the pleasure of sharing five years of my life with this lovely man - my gentle giant, with his infectious smile and big heart. I think of him with tenderness and love.
“Matt was my partner, friend, confidant, support and soul mate.
“He will be greatly missed but never forgotten. Matt will always be in my head and in my heart."
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Sgt Ratana had moved to work in custody because it was believed to be safer before the tragedy.
Pals said Sgt Ratana, dad to a grown-up son, dreamed of travelling Europe on his motorbike then coaching at his rugby club in Sussex.
