Man tried to murder police officer after chasing him with chainsaw

A man has been convicted of trying to murder a police officer after chasing him with a chainsaw.

Liridon Kastrati, 32, had been accused of brandishing the power tool at officers in Paisley, Renfrewshire, on 6 May last year.

During a trial at the High Court in Paisley he had denied a single charge of attempting to murder four police officers.

Kastrati was earlier acquitted of charges of breach of the peace, stealing a car and motoring offences when the prosecution withdrew the charges.

On Tuesday he was convicted of an amended charge, the attempted murder of PC Gary Cowan.

Kastrati, who will be sentenced next month, was told by the judge to expect a "significant penalty".

Last week PC Cowan told the court he was in a police car with a colleague when a Volkswagen driven by Kastrati crashed into the side of the vehicle and activated the airbag.

The court heard the Albanian national then got out of the driver's side, looked at the police car and "began to run away".

The 35-year-old officer said he approached Kastrati with the intention of arresting him.

But when he was "about 10 metres" away the accused returned to his vehicle and got out a chainsaw before pursuing him while shouting obscenities.

PC Cowan recalled: "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."

The officer admitted he was "terrified" and believed Kastrati would "saw my arms off, chop my head off".

'Flawed' investigation

The court previously heard that Kastrati was arrested and questioned without either a solicitor or an Albanian interpreter present.

He repeatedly made reference to the collision being a "car accident" when charges were read to him.

Kastrati has been remanded in custody for 18 months since the crash.

On Tuesday, John Scullion KC, defending, told 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.

"You must convict him of those parts."

However, Mr Scullion claimed the police investigation was "flawed" and "lacked neutrality and objectivity".

The jury returned a verdict after three hours of deliberation.

After Kastrati was convicted of the amended charge, Judge Gallacher told him: "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 was arrested after the officers called for immediate assistance.

PC Cowan and his colleague, who were both injured in the initial crash, were treated by paramedics.

Det Insp Jan MacColl said: "Our thoughts remain with those involved or affected by this shocking and calculated attack."

She also praised the "courage and determination" shown by the officers and a member of the public who helped stop Kastrati.

Det Insp MacColl added: "Their readiness to confront danger made us determined to ensure he is held to account for his cowardly actions, and I hope his conviction brings some comfort."