A BAKERY worker who stabbed a dad of two in the heart in a row over tea breaks was today jailed for life.

Paul Steadward, 35, was ordered to serve at least 16 years for the murder before he is eligible for parole.

Sentencing him at the High Court in Glasgow, judge Ian Peebles told Steadward: "You went to get a knife before you went outside knowing you were going to have a fight.

"A man ended up dead over the most trivial matter. His timekeeping, according to you, had not been as you wished."

Steadward had denied murdering Steven McArdle on March 8 last year, and claimed self-defence. But he was convicted of murder after a three-day trial.

The court heard that Steadward snapped when work colleague Steven came back 10 minutes late from a tea break.

There was an argument between the two men, who were working a 12-hour nightshift at Warburton's bakery in Bellshill.

When Steven went outside around 4.30am, Steadward followed him after grabbing a 10-inch knife from his locker.

He then stabbed 26-year-old Steven twice. One blow went straight through his heart, fatally wounding him.

After the verdict, Mr McArdle's partner June McIntosh, from Coatbridge, said: "I'm glad he's been convicted. It's the right decision, but nothing will bring my Steven back.

"Steven wanted to provide for me and the children. My whole world has collapsed. We had been together since we were 18 and had grown up together.

"The children, Chloe and Steven, are devastated by his death. Steven now has bad dreams and wakes up shouting for his dad. My little girl says he's an angel up in the sky.

"I just have to hold myself together for both of them."

Family friend Suzanne Greig, 24, said: "The kids each take a picture of Steven to bed with them every night and talk to him about their day."