A man has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for attempting to murder a police officer by chasing him with a chainsaw. Liridon Kastrati crashed a stolen Volkswagen into a marked police car before pursuing PC Gary Cowan in Paisley, Scotland, on May 6, 2024, while shouting derogatory remarks about the police. The 32-year-old Albanian had been warned of facing a severe punishment for his actions.
Following the sentencing at the High Court in Glasgow, Kastrati reacted angrily, shouting and insulting the judge. Judge Gallacher expressed astonishment at the use of a chainsaw as a weapon, stating that such actions are typically seen in horror movies. The imposed 10-year sentence was retroactively applied to May 2024.
Kastrati continued his disruptive behavior by verbally attacking the judge in Albanian and English, leading to his removal by guards. During the trial, PC Cowan recounted the harrowing experience of being pursued by Kastrati with the chainsaw, fearing for his life. Kastrati was heard shouting profanities against the police while chasing the officer.
In his defense, John Scullion KC mentioned a missed appointment with a social worker, resulting in a lack of necessary reports. Despite expressing frustration at the situation, Judge Gallacher offered Kastrati another chance to cooperate before proceeding with sentencing. Charges related to breach of peace, car theft, and motoring offenses were dropped by the prosecution.