Brother of police chainsaw murder bid thug hits out as sentencing moved

The brother of chainsaw attacker Liridon Kastrati hit out after his sentencing hearing was moved without the family's knowledge.

The Albanian was due to be sentenced today, Friday, December 19, 2025, for trying to kill a police officer with the weapon.

Police Constable Gary Cowan thought he was going to die at Kastrati's hands during the incident in Paisley, Renfrewshire.

The 35-year-old said he was "terrified" when Kastrati started chasing after him with the weapon while yelling "f*** the police".

Kastrati was convicted last month and due to be sentenced this morning.

His mother travelled from Albania to Scotland to see him at the hearing.

She arrived at the High Court in Paisley, the same court where he was convicted, along with his brother.

But they were told the case was not taking place at the Renfrewshire courthouse as originally planned, and had been moved to Glasgow.

His shocked and angry brother blasted the move.

He said: "We have come here to see him being sentenced but they said it is taking place in Glasgow.

"Nobody told us this. It was supposed to be here. My mother has come over from Albania to see him being sentenced.

"We have come here but it is not here. We now have to go to Glasgow but it will be over and we will miss it. Why did nobody tell us?"

And the 32-year-old was not actually sentenced, with the case adjourned again until next month for background reports to be prepared.

A spokesperson for the Scottish Courts and Tribunal Service said: "The court rolls were updated on Wednesday to move the case from Paisley to Glasgow."

A court source said: "There was an application made on Wednesday to change the location of the hearing on Friday from Paisley to Glasgow.

"But that obviously wasn't passed on to his loved ones and some others who had been following the case."

During Kastrati's trial, PC Cowan said he was "terrified" when the Albanian started chasing after him with the weapon while yelling "f*** the police" in May last year.

He said he feared Kastrati would "saw" his "arms off" and "chop" his "head off", adding: "I thought if I don't create distance, he is going to kill me."

When he was convicted, Detective Inspector Jan MacColl said: “Our thoughts remain with those involved or affected by this shocking and calculated attack. 

“The courage and determination shown by officers, simply doing their jobs and the member of the public to quickly stop Kastrati ensured that the dangerous threat he posed to the local community was contained at the scene. 

“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.”