A man has been found guilty of attempted murder after he chased a police officer with a chainsaw. Liridon Kastrati, aged 32, was accused of crashing a car into a marked police vehicle and then threatening officers with a chainsaw in Paisley, Scotland, on May 6, 2024, at around 1:30 pm.
Initially facing a charge of attempting to murder four police officers, Kastrati was ultimately convicted of attempted murder concerning one individual, Pc Gary Cowan, following a trial at the High Court in Paisley. The charge was amended to exclude the reference to the car collision.
In a recent court session, Pc Cowan recounted how Kastrati exited the crashed vehicle, ran away, then returned with a chainsaw, chasing the officer while shouting derogatory remarks towards the police. Pc Cowan expressed his fear for his life as Kastrati pursued him with the chainsaw raised, believing he was in imminent danger of severe harm.
Following the trial, Kastrati was acquitted of charges related to breach of the peace, car theft, and motoring offenses as the prosecution withdrew those accusations. Kastrati is scheduled to be sentenced on December 19 at the High Court in Paisley, where a substantial penalty is anticipated.
During the proceedings, Kastrati’s defense acknowledged his actions involving the chainsaw and injuries to Pc Cowan but critiqued the police investigation as biased. The jury deliberated for three hours before reaching a verdict on the amended charge of attempted murder against Kastrati.
Upon the conviction, Judge Gallacher emphasized the gravity of the offense and indicated that a significant penalty would be imposed once more information is gathered. Kastrati has been in custody since the incident, with further legal proceedings expected in the near future.