Police hailed for ‘extreme bravery’ in facing down attacker armed with chainsaw
Liridon Kastrati, 32, has been jailed for the attempted murder of Pc Gary Cowan.
The police officers who dealt with an incident in which a man attempted to murder one of their colleagues acted with “extreme bravery and professionalism”, a chief superintendent has said.
Liridon Kastrati, 32, was convicted of chasing Pc Gary Cowan with a chainsaw and attempting to murder him following a trial at the High Court in Paisley in November 2025.
He was jailed for 10 years at the High Court in Glasgow on Tuesday.
Chief Superintendent Rhona Fraser said the attack in Paisley on May 6, 2024 demonstrated the “dynamic and violent nature” of some of the incidents police have to face in the course of their duties.
Speaking about the situation they faced with Kastrati, she said: “It was an extremely traumatic, intense incident for them.
“It unfolded during the course of their duties that day, quite unexpected, and that level of violence is really not something they should have to tolerate during the course of their work.”
She said the officers “acted with extreme bravery and professionalism”, and she also thanked a member of the public who helped.
Ms Fraser said Pc Cowan is back at work.
She said: “It was a very harrowing experience and my thoughts remain with the officer just now.
“He is doing well. He is receiving all the support that we can provide within the organisation and outwith as well.”
She said she hopes the conviction sends the message that violence against officers will not be tolerated.
“Officers carry out a really important role in the community to keep the community safe and provide that frontline mechanism to protect them from instances and criminality such as this,” she said.
“It’s very positive for us to have this strong message, and obviously Kastrati will now have to deal with the consequences of his actions.
“The sentence itself is a matter for the court, but from our perspective, officer safety is an absolute priority, and so we’re really pleased it’s been taken seriously in this instance.
“Kastrati will now need to face the consequences of his actions. Violence such as this against our officers is not tolerated, and hopefully that provides this message.”
