A man shot dead a police officer with an antique revolver hidden in a holster, a murder trial has heard.
Louis De Zoysa killed Sergeant Matt Ratana while he was on duty for the Metropolitan Police in a South London custody.
Ratana, from Goring, was killed by one of four bullets fired by De Zoysa. The defendant denies murder.
Opening the case against De Zoysa on Wednesday, prosecutor Duncan Penny KC said the 25-year-old had been taken to a holding cell after being found with seven rounds of ammunition in London Road, Norbury, south London, at night on September 25, 2020.
The prosecutor told the jury in Northampton Crown Court: “On Friday the 25th of September 2020, Louis De Zoysa shot dead Sergeant Matthew Ratana in a holding room.
“Louis De Zoysa pulled the trigger on purpose twice when he was pointing the gun at Sergeant Ratana.
“In total, the prosecution say Louis De Zoysa pulled the trigger on purpose four times.”
Mr Penny added that De Zoysa “probably concealed” the antique weapon under one of his armpits.
De Zoysa, from Banstead in Surrey, was legally able to buy the weapon due to its antique status.
The defendant was 23 when the shooting happened and was living in a flat at a farm in Banstead, having bought the gun, which was legal to own due to its antique status, on the internet in June 2020.
Bullets of the correct calibre for the gun are no longer made, Mr Penny said, but De Zoysa “bought the parts to make the bullets” and made ammunition at the farm.
Previously the court heard that De Zoysa suffered brain damage after being hit by a bullet in the neck during the altercation.
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Sgt Ratana, who was originally from New Zealand, joined the Metropolitan Police in 1991.
He was also a well-known figure in the local rugby community as head coach of East Grinstead RFC at the time of his death.
He also served as head coach of Worthing Azurians and Knights until 2017.
Following Sgt Ratana’s death, his partner Su Bushby described him as a “gentle giant”.
The trial continues.
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