Man Found Guilty of Murdering Met Police Sergeant with Antique Gun

De Zoysa had smuggled the gun into a South London custody centre and shot Ratana while handcuffed to the rear in a police van.

CCTV evidence suggested he managed to get hold of the gun with his right hand about 16 minutes before the shooting and then hid it in the back of his overcoat.

De Zoysa had claimed diminished responsibility, but the jury ruled he had acted deliberately.

He will be sentenced on 27 July.

The sergeant, who was known as Matt, died of his injuries in hospital.

A man named De Zoysa was arrested and found to have a gun despite being handcuffed in the back of a police van.

The gun was not found during a search of De Zoysa's bag, waistband, or body.

It is believed that De Zoysa was able to move the gun from the holster to his hands due to his hypermobility, which allowed him to keep the gun hidden behind his back.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct has recommended that handheld search wands, also known as metal detectors, be introduced in all response vehicles and those used to transport those that have been detained in order to improve officer safety and prevent detained persons from being able to harm themselves or others in custody.

The National Police Chiefs' Council is exploring the implementation of these wands.