Sgt Ratana murder suspect expresses sadness, denies intent in court
A 25-year-old man, Louis De Zoysa, accused of murdering Metropolitan Police custody sergeant Matiu Ratana, has expressed his sadness over the officer’s death during a trial. De Zoysa admitted that CCTV footage captured him firing a gun at 54-year-old Sgt Ratana, who was shot at Croydon custody centre on September 25, 2020. Despite acknowledging the act of shooting, De Zoysa claimed he had not intended to kill Sgt Ratana or cause him serious harm.
Giving evidence at Northampton Crown Court, De Zoysa appeared in a wheelchair, using a small whiteboard and marker to confirm his name and date of birth. He took a modified oath and promised to tell the truth.
The prosecution asserts that De Zoysa, a resident of Banstead in Surrey, deliberately “pulled the trigger four times” while handcuffed in a holding room. The court heard that the first two shots struck Sgt Ratana, the third hit a wall during a struggle with officers, and the fourth injured the defendant. The trial is ongoing.
