'Cop killer', 23, fired four shots from gun smuggled into holding cell during search - murdering Sergeant Matt Ratana with bullet to chest and wounding himself in neck with final bullet, court hears
- Louis de Zoysa, 23, is accused of discharging bullets in a Croydon holding cell
- De Zoysa also received a life-threatening bullet injury during the incident
- Sergeant Matt Ratana was killed when a bullet caused a fatal wound in the chest
A man has been accused of firing four shots from a gun he smuggled into his cell during a stop and search - which allegedly murdered Sergeant Matt Ratana.
Louis de Zoysa, 23, discharged one bullet into Sgt Ratana's chest, one into his leg, and another caused a life-threatening wound in his own neck.
He smuggled the gun into a holding cell at Croydon Custody Centre in the early hours of September 25, 2020.
De Zoysa has been in hospital under police guard since the killing, but was charged with the murder last Tuesday evening.
On Wednesday, de Zoysa appeared at Westminster Magistrates Court via video link from his hospital bed and used a whiteboard to show his name and date of birth rather than speaking.
Louis de Zoysa (pictured in his hospital bed), 23, discharged one bullet into Sergeant Matt Ratana's chest, one into his leg, and another caused a life-threatening wound in his own neck
On Friday he appeared at the Old Bailey, again by video link, but was sitting up in a chair flanked by two medical workers.
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Judge Mark Lucraft, the Recorder of London, listed the case for a plea hearing on September 17.
The court heard New Zealand-born Sgt Ratana was allegedly shot and killed by De Zoysa after he was arrested following a stop and search in Norwood, south London.
De Zoysa has been in hospital under police guard since the killing, but was charged with the murder last Tuesday evening. Pictured, Sgt Ratana
The court heard New Zealand-born Sgt Ratana (pictured with Commissioner Cressida Dick) was allegedly shot and killed by De Zoysa after he was arrested following a stop and search in Norwood, south London
Sgt Ratana was taken to St George’s Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead, while De Zoysa survived after he was treated by officers and London Ambulance staff.
Scotland Yard said the decision to charge De Zoysa was made after recent changes to his medical condition.
Judge Lucraft refused De Zoysa bail, remarking that he would be held in prison until the end of the case if he were to become well enough to be discharged from hospital.
