A man has been sentenced to life imprisonment for killing Māori nz-born Met Police sergeant Matiu Ratana in the UK.
54-year-old Ratana was shot in the chest and leg at Croydon custody centre, south of London by Louis De Zoysa, who had secretly brought a firearm into the building after his arrest on 25 September 2020.
De Zoysa, 26, from Banstead, Surrey, shot himself after the attack and was left with brain damage.
During the trial, De Zoysa communicated through a whiteboard and showed no emotion as the judge handed down the whole-life sentence.
Justice Jeremy Johnson acknowledged De Zoysa’s autism during sentencing at Northampton Crown Court, but said neither that, nor an impact on his family were not enough to reduce his sentence.
“You acted in cold blood. You intended to kill Sergeant Ratana. You aimed the gun at his chest at near point-blank range,” he said.
“Even as he fell you re-aimed and fired a second shot at him. The aggravating factors outweigh the mitigating factors.”
De Zoysa will serve his sentence at Belmarsh prison, becoming the 65th person to receive a whole-life order in England and Wales.
Amongst the harshest sentence available
In 2014 the UK government reformed the law determining sentencing for anyone who killed a police officer in the course of their duty, to a whole-life sentence, up from 30 years.
“The Government is making this change in the law because it recognises the unique and dangerous job that police and prison officers do on a daily basis.” the then justice minister said at the time.
The reforms are amongst the strictest in the western world.
During the trial, the jury watched video footage of the Hawke’s Bay born sergeant getting hit in the chest by one of three shots fired by De Zoysa.
Another bullet struck Ratana in the thigh before other officers restrained De Zoysa.
The 29-year Met Police veteran who had done stints as police protection officer - for Princess Diana, the Queen Mother and Prime Minister John Major later died from his injuries in hospital.
Criticisms of custody centre
De Zoysa was arrested while walking along London Road in Norbury, south London.
He informed the two arresting officers that he was carrying cannabis, but concealed under his left arm was an antique Colt revolver.
Although the officers checked his waistband and frisked him, they missed the weapon as they lacked a metal detector in their patrol car.
De Zoysa was then transported to Croydon custody centre in a police van. Detectives believe that during the journey, he moved the gun from its holster to his hands, which were still cuffed behind his back.
The custody area’s entrance also lacked a metal detector, allowing De Zoysa to bring the gun in without being detected. Once inside, Ratana told De Zoysa that he needed to be searched again.
Whānau grieves
As another officer pulled him to his feet, De Zoysa drew his still-cuffed hands from behind his back and shot Ratana in the heart.
Ratana’s partner, Su Bushby, told the court she had “lost her soulmate” and had been “in a state of limbo” ever since.
“I just sat there, waiting and willing him to walk through the door. I still do to this day,” she said.
“I am hoping that one day it will get easier but at the moment the nightmare continues.
“At this moment in time, I cannot forgive him for what he has done; the person who shot Matt and ripped my life apart, my life as I once knew it.”
Other members of Ratana’s family provided victim impact statements during the court proceedings.
His sister Jessica Williams said: “The cruel and senseless actions of one man have left me and my family broken.
“The impact of what this person has done has left me shattered ... I feel like I could drown in the amount of grief I carry each day.”
Ratana’s brother, James William Young, said he’d felt “hatred and anger” but “most of all pain and sorrow” since the shooting.
“The loss of my brother has been the hardest event in my life.”
Ratana legacy
Ratana was heavily involved in the community, a passionate rugby fan and proud Māori according to whānau.
In the UK he coached at Worthing Rugby Club and used to play for East Grinstead RC, his footy fanaticism kicked off at Palmerston North Boys’ High while growing up in New Zealand.
His whakapapa and last name come from Ratana church prophet and founder Tahupotiki Wiremu Ratana.
Iriaka Ratana, the first Māori woman MP is his grandmother, and Parliament’s Speaker Adrian Rurawhe is a first cousin.
Matt moved to England in 1989, but also served with New Zealand Police, joining the British High Commission Wing in 2003 and working in the Auckland City and Counties Manukau districts before returning to the UK in 2008.
‘Everybody liked Matt, including the criminals’, a British officer recounted, following his murder, that sent shockwaves through the UK.
His former colleagues and footy club established the ‘Matt Ratana Rugby Foundation’, which runs tournaments, and fundraises for the next generation of rugby players, especially in schools where the sport is not offered.
“Matt worked tirelessly as a rugby coach and dedicated mentor to many young people.” the charity says.
“He spoke passionately to the teams he led on the importance of ‘Whānau”
“He was fiercely committed and inclusive, engaging wholeheartedly with everyone he met, and encouraging all ages to embrace the supportive welcome of the rugby family.”
‘The Matt Ratana Rugby Foundation works to build a legacy worthy of this inspirational leader, teacher and friend.’
Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley lauded Ratana as an exceptional officer, renowned for treating everyone with respect, compassion, and good humor.
“Whether it was on the streets or in the custody centre, as a uniformed police officer, on the rugby field or later as a coach, he was someone who made an enduring impact wherever he went.”
-Additional reporting, BBC