Albanian Man Jailed for Decade After Chainsaw Attack on Police Officer
An Albanian national has been sentenced to ten years in prison for attempting to murder a police officer with a chainsaw in a violent incident described by a judge as reminiscent of a horror film. Liridon Kastrati, aged 32, unleashed a foul-mouthed tirade in court, banging on the dock and repeatedly shouting that the judge was a "f*****g terrorist" as his punishment was handed down at the High Court in Glasgow.
Horror Film-Like Scene Unfolds in Paisley
The terrifying episode occurred on 56 May 2024 in Paisley, Renfrewshire, following a collision where Kastrati's Volkswagen crashed into a police vehicle. Initially attempting to flee the scene, Kastrati instead returned to retrieve a chainsaw from the boot of his car. He then started the motorised blade and chased PC Gary Cowan down the street while screaming abusive remarks, including "f*** the police".
Judge William Gallacher, presiding over the case, remarked that he had never before encountered the use of a chainsaw as a weapon in such a manner. "Many might have thought this was the stuff of horror films," he stated, drawing comparisons to infamous cinematic scenes from productions like The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Evil Dead.
Officer's Harrowing Escape and Injuries
PC Cowan, who was in the police car with a colleague at the time of the crash, described his desperate efforts to evade the attacker. He testified that he feared Kastrati would use the chainsaw to maim or decapitate him, believing his life was in immediate danger. "I thought if I do not create distance he is going to kill me," the officer told jurors, adding that he worried about having his arms sawn off or his head chopped off.
Eventually, Kastrati put down the weapon and was subdued with Pava spray. PC Cowan sustained whiplash and a knee injury that kept him off work for four months, while his colleague also suffered injuries during the ordeal.
Mitigation and Sentencing Details
In mitigation, defence advocate John Scullion KC argued that Kastrati had acted "spontaneously and impulsively" following the car crash. He explained that the chainsaw was intended for a gardening job and that Kastrati had been driving his brother's vehicle. Scullion further noted that Kastrati's immigration status contributed to his panic, leading to erratic and reckless behaviour, and that he had referenced mental health issues, including stress, which affected his decision-making.
Kastrati accepted responsibility for his actions, expressing remorse for the significant fear, alarm, and distress caused to those at the scene. However, Judge Gallacher emphasised the gravity of the offence during sentencing, stating, "This had been an ordinary day for the police officers and what happened was utterly unordinary." He highlighted the potential for carnage if PC Cowan had not been able to escape, ultimately imposing a ten-year prison term backdated to May 2024.
