A man who used a chainsaw to attack a police officer and tried to kill him has been sentenced to 10 years in prison. Liridon Kastrati crashed a stolen Volkswagen into a marked police car before pursuing PC Gary Cowan with the running chainsaw while yelling profanities against law enforcement in Paisley, Scotland, on May 6, 2024. The 32-year-old from Albania was warned of a severe punishment for his violent actions.
Following the court ruling at the High Court in Glasgow, Kastrati reacted angrily, banging on the dock, verbally assaulting the judge, and accusing him of terrorism. The judge, Gallacher, expressed astonishment at the use of a chainsaw as a weapon and likened the incident to scenes from horror movies. The 10-year prison term was retroactively applied from May 2024.
After receiving the sentence, Kastrati continued his outburst, shouting in Albanian and then switching to English to hurl insults at the judge before being escorted away by guards. PC Cowan testified during the trial, recounting how Kastrati crashed into their police car, activated the airbag, and then chased him with the chainsaw threatening his life. The officer described his fear and the menacing actions of Kastrati, who repeatedly yelled derogatory remarks towards the police.
Defense counsel John Scullion KC mentioned that Kastrati had missed a scheduled meeting with a social worker due to a misunderstanding, leading to the absence of a crucial report on his client. The judge, Gallacher, expressed frustration over the lack of cooperation and emphasized the importance of bringing the case to a resolution promptly.
Kastrati was given a final chance to cooperate before sentencing proceeds further. Charges of breach of the peace, car theft, and traffic violations were dropped by the prosecution. The police officers involved in the incident were commended for their bravery and professionalism in handling the unexpected and violent attack during their duty.
Chief Superintendent Rhona Fraser highlighted the intense and traumatic nature of the event, acknowledging the challenges police officers face in such dynamic and violent situations. She expressed support for PC Cowan, who has returned to work following the harrowing encounter, emphasizing that violence against officers is intolerable and will be met with consequences.
