KILLER OF SGT RATANA TOLD HE'LL DIE IN JAIL

Gun fanatic who shot cop is given whole-life term

- MARTIN FRICKER

THE partner of a police officer shot dead in a holding cell paid tribute to her "soulmate" yesterday as his killer was told he will die in prison.

Louis De Zoysa was given a rare whole-life sentence yesterday after being convicted of the "cold-blooded" murder of Sgt Matt Ratana, 54.

Gun fanatic De Zoysa, 26, was hand-cuffed but officers failed to find an antique revolver and holster believed to have been hidden in his armpit.

Video footage seen his three-week trial showed New Zealand-born Sgt Ratana being hit in the chest by the first of three shots fired within three seconds. The bullet fatally wounded his heart and left lung.

A second shot hit the officer in the leg, before De Zoysa was hit in the neck during a struggle, leaving him with brain damage.