A killer who brutally stabbed a man to death in a blade attack in Shotts was jailed for life for the murder.
Shaun Burns, 34, was ordered to serve at least 20 years in jail after inflicting seven injuries to Colin Knott with a kitchen knife.
A judge told Burns: “That does not mean that at the end of that 20 year period you will necessarily be released.”
Lord Kinclaven said: “You have been convicted by the verdict of the jury of the most serious of crimes, that is the crime of murder.”
The judge said at the High Court in Edinburgh that it was reported to him that Burns was remorseful and he proceeded on that basis in sentencing.
He told Burns: “Your version of events was not accepted by the jury. They rejected your special defence of self defence.”
“There is nothing this court can say or do that will compensate those who knew the deceased for the loss of his life,” he said.
Lord Kinclaven pointed out that Burns has an extensive criminal record with over 40 court appearances, including for assault and weapon offences.
Burns had denied murdering Mr Knott (48) on September 3 last year in an attack at a close in Suna Path by repeatedly striking him on the head and body with the knife at an earlier trial, but was found guilty.
Long-term drug user Burns had move to Shotts from Glasgow after rehab.
Defence counsel Ian Duguid QC said he obtained a tenancy and secured employment in a local shop. After work he had gone back home to watch a football match.
Mr Duguid said: “For the first time in three months he had started drinking alcohol.”
He said Mr Knott was invited in for a drink but a disagreement occurred before the fatal assault.
Mr Duguid said Burns was making “strenuous attempts to change his lifestyle” at the time and added: “He regrets everything about that night.”
The defence counsel said Burns involvement with drugs began when he was nine and by 17 he was an intravenous heroin user.
He said Burns has a number of psychiatric conditions and was on prescribed medication.
“He does fully appreciate that he has brought about the end of a gentleman’s life in circumstances which are, to say the least, very, very unfortunate,” said Mr Duguid.
