Met Police Sued Over Sgt Ratana’s Death in Custody Cell Shooting
The tragic death of Metropolitan Police Sergeant Matt Ratana has sparked a high-profile lawsuit against the Met Police over alleged protocol failures. Ratana was fatally shot by a handcuffed prisoner inside a custody cell — and his partner, Su Bushby, is now suing the force for negligence.
Guard Failed to Find Gun Hidden on Suspect
The fatal shooting happened in the early hours of 25 September 2020 at croydon/" title="Croydon" data-wpil-keyword-link="linked">Croydon custody suite in south London. Louis de Zoysa, who was in handcuffs, had hidden an antique revolver in an underarm holster. Despite multiple searches, officers missed the weapon — which de Zoysa then used to shoot Sgt Ratana.
A coroner later ruled the killing unlawful, blaming the inadequate search by police staff. The lawsuit claims the Met Police failed to follow proper procedures that could have saved Ratana’s life.
Partner Slams ‘Shoddy’ Police Searches
“Had they done a proper search, Matt might still be here today,”
Su Bushby told The Mirror she was devastated by the incident and slammed the “shoddy and inadequate” search that left Sgt Ratana vulnerable to attack. She demands the police be held accountable for their failings.
Murderer Serving Whole-Life Term
Louis de Zoysa, who is autistic, managed to loosen his restraints and access the weapon before firing. Despite other officers’ attempts to restrain him, the fatal shots were fired. De Zoysa was found guilty of murder earlier this year and is serving a whole-life jail sentence.
He claimed to have been having an autistic meltdown during the attack.
Respect for a Veteran Officer
Matt Ratana was a respected Met Police figure with nearly 30 years’ service. He was just months from retirement at the time of his death. The lawsuit highlights the urgent need for strict adherence to search protocols to prevent future tragedies.
