Dying man 'identified his killer'

The High Court in Glasgow was told of an argument over breaks

A man who was stabbed through the heart named his alleged killer before he died, a court has been told.

Police Sgt Colin Gray told a trial that fatally injured Steven McArdle, 26, said: "It was Paul. He stabbed me."

Paul Steadward, 35, denies murdering Mr McArdle, a workmate at Warburton's bakery, in Sholto Crescent Bellshill, on 8 March.

The High Court in Glasgow heard how Mr McArdle died of a stab wound through the heart during a 12-hour night shift.

Sgt Gray said that he was the first police officer on the scene after receiving a 999 call and told the court he saw Mr McArdle lying on the roadway.

He said: "He was conscious. I asked him if he could tell me what happened.

Tea breaks

"His breathing was laboured and he was having difficulty speaking."

Sgt Gray said Mr McArdle then uttered the name Paul.

The court heard that Mr Steadward and Mr McArdle had rowed over the length of time Mr McArdle was taking for tea breaks at the bakery.

Mr Steadward has claimed self defence and said he was attacked by Mr McArdle.

The jury was shown CCTV images of both men leaving the factory. Mr Steadward was then filmed going back inside and then leaving minutes later carrying a bag.

Taxi driver John Hendry said in evidence that he picked up Mr Steadward at 0430 GMT on 8 March about a mile from the bakery and took him to Blantyre.

Mr Hendry said that during the course of the journey he asked Mr Steadward what his shift had been like and he replied that he had stabbed someone.

The trial continues.