A man charged with murdering London police sergeant Matt Ratana has appeared in court from his hospital bed.
Matt Ratana moved to the UK in 1989 and joined the Met Police two years later. Photo: Hackney Police
Louis De Zoysa, 23, is accused of shooting the New Zealand-born police officer, who was killed while working at Croydon Custody Centre, south London, last September.
Ratana, 54, was originally from Hawke's Bay and was two months from retirement.
De Zoysa confirmed his identity using a whiteboard in a hospital bed by video link at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Wednesday.
He was remanded in custody ahead of a hearing at the Old Bailey on Friday.
The defendant suffered a gunshot wound on 25 September 2020 and has since been under police guard in hospital.
The Metropolitan Police said recent changes to De Zoysa's medical condition had led to the decision to charge him.
De Zoysa, of Norbury, south-east London, was not asked to enter pleas to charges of murder, possession of a prohibited firearm and possession of ammunition without a certificate.