A man who chased a police officer with a running chainsaw in a daylight attack has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for attempted murder.
A Terrifying Daylight Attack in Paisley
The incident occurred on 6 May 2024 in Paisley, Renfrewshire, after a Volkswagen driven by Liridon Kastrati crashed into a police vehicle. PC Gary Cowan approached the 32-year-old Albanian national with the intention of arresting him.
However, the situation escalated horrifically when Kastrati returned to his car, grabbed a chainsaw, started it, and sprinted after the officer. PC Cowan told the High Court in Paisley he was forced to run for his life as Kastrati gave chase, holding the weapon aloft and shouting obscenities at the police.
Officer's Fear of Being Dismembered
In his testimony, PC Cowan described being "terrified" and believing Kastrati intended to "saw my arms off, chop my head off." He stated clearly: "I thought if I don't create distance, he is going to kill me."
The case reached its conclusion at the High Court in Glasgow on Tuesday 20 January 2026. Judge William Gallacher remarked on the extraordinary nature of the violence, noting he had "never encountered the use of a chainsaw as a weapon being wielded" in his years on the bench. He added that many would think such a scene belonged only in horror films.
Sentencing and Courtroom Outburst
Upon hearing his 10-year jail term, Kastrati reacted violently, banging on the dock and shouting at the judge. As guards led him away, he yelled in Albanian before switching to English to call the judge a "terrorist" and level the same accusation at the country.
During the trial, which concluded with a guilty verdict in November, the prosecution dropped additional charges for breach of the peace, stealing a car, and motoring offences. In his defence, KC John Scullion claimed Kastrati had the chainsaw in the car for a gardening job and that he acted out due to stress and panic over his immigration status.
The sentencing brings to a close a case that highlights the extreme dangers police officers can face in the line of duty.
