Police murder trial jury shown holster 'hidden under accused's armpit'

De Zoysa, 25, is accused of murdering Sergeant Matt Ratana, 54, at a custody block in Croydon, South London, after being arrested in a stop and search operation

- Paul Jeeves

At Northampton Crown Court a copy of the gun holster was shown at a brief sitting yesterday morning.

Jocelyn Ledward, for the prosecution, said it was "exactly identical" to the one owned by De Zoysa.

The prosecution alleges De Zoysa, who denies murder, "pulled the trigger on purpose four times" while he was handcuffed in a holding room at the custody centre.

Chilling

The first and second shots hit Sgt.

Ratana, the third hit the wall during a struggle with officers, and a fourth hit De Zoysa himself.

The prosecution says the antique gun and holster were "probably concealed under one of his armpits".