Chainsaw-Wielding Man Found Guilty of Attempted Murder
A 32-year-old man has been convicted of attempted murder after a terrifying incident in which he chased a police officer with a chainsaw. Liridon Kastrati was found guilty at the High Court in Paisley following a trial centred on the events of May 6, 2024.
A Terrifying Daylight Attack
The court heard that at around 1:30 pm on May 6, 2024, in Paisley, Renfrewshire, Kastrati rammed a car into a marked police vehicle. Following the collision, PC Gary Cowan, 35, approached Kastrati with the intention of arresting him.
As PC Cowan came within about ten metres, Kastrati returned to his vehicle, retrieved a chainsaw, and began pursuing the officer. He was heard shouting 'f*** the police' during the chase.
Giving evidence, PC Cowan described his sheer terror, stating: "He was chasing after me with the chainsaw, holding the chainsaw up, running after me." He added, "I thought if I don't create distance, he is going to kill me," believing Kastrati intended to "saw my arms off, chop my head off."
Court Proceedings and Verdict
Kastrati had originally faced a single charge of attempting to murder four police officers but was ultimately convicted on an amended charge related solely to the attempted murder of PC Gary Cowan. The amended charge also removed reference to the initial car crash.
On the previous Monday, Kastrati was acquitted of charges of breach of the peace, stealing a car, and motoring offences after the prosecution withdrew them.
During the trial, the defence counsel, John Scullion KC, acknowledged his client's actions, telling the jury: "Mr Kastrati accepts he removes a chainsaw from the car, he swore, he injured PC Cowan, he brandished the chainsaw at other officers during this frightening and distressing incident." However, Mr Scullion contended that the police investigation was "flawed" and "lacked neutrality and objectivity."
The jury returned its verdict after three hours of deliberation, finding Kastrati guilty of the amended charge of attempted murder.
Significant Penalty Expected
Following the conviction, Judge Gallacher remanded Kastrati in custody and informed him to expect a "significant penalty" when he is sentenced on December 19 at the High Court in Paisley.
The judge stated, "You have been convicted of a charge which is subject to a number of deletions but remains a very serious charge. The law requires I obtain more information upon you but you may take it the court will in due course impose a significant penalty in relation to this very dangerous incident."
Kastrati has already been held in custody for 18 months since the attack occurred.
