An Albanian man accused of wielding a chainsaw at police officers whom he allegedly chased down a busy street was not offered an interpreter or a solicitor before he was charged by detectives, a court heard.

Liridon Kastrati, 32, is accused of ramming a car into a marked police vehicle and then brandishing a chainsaw at officers in Paisley, Renfrewshire, in broad daylight on May 6 2024.

It is alleged he stole a black Volkswagen car and drove it “at excessive speed”, before mounting the pavement and colliding with a police car containing two officers at about 1.30pm.

Kastrati is alleged to have pulled a chainsaw out of a bag, started it, and run at officers while shouting and swearing.

He has denied attempting to murder four police officers, breach of the peace and motoring offences.

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