Louis De Zoysa: Man goes on trial over 2020 shooting of police officer Sgt Matt Ratana

The man accused of shooting dead Met Police sergeant Matt Ratana inside Croydon police station is set to stand trial for murder.

Louis De Zoysa, 25, is accused of killing the officer, 54, with a bullet to the chest after he was arrested and taken into custody on September 25, 2020.

It is said four bullets were discharged by a handcuffed De Zoysa, who was also shot in the incident.

De Zoysa, from Banstead, Surrey, has pleaded not guilty to murder and is set to stand trial at Northampton crown court.

In April, he joined court proceedings via videolink from hospital and used a whiteboard to communicate his not guilty plea.

The alleged murder happened after De Zoysa had been arrested in Norwood and taken to a holding cell at Croydon Custody Centre.

It is said the first bullet struck Sgt Ratana in the chest, causing a fatal wound, while he was also hit in the leg. De Zoysa himself was also shot in the incident.

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.

De Zoysa’s jury trial, which is expected to last for around three weeks, is due to open this week before Mr Justice Johnson.

Duncan Penny KC is prosecuting the case, while De Zoysa is represented by Imran Khan KC.

The defendant, from Norbury and who had been staying in Banstead at the time of the shooting, remains in custody.