A MAN who murdered a forklift driver who had been friendly and kind to him has been jailed for a minimum of 14 years.

Marek Kepczynski took Mark Giudici's life at a flat in Rutherglen, Lanarkshire, on June 9 last year.

The 45-year-old repeatedly punched, kicked and stamped on the head and body of Mr Giudici before strangling him with his bare hands.

The Polish immigrant attacked the 42-year-old after spending the day at a party with him and his friends.

Mr Giudici, who had spent part of his life working in Poland, acted as Kepczynski's translator and introduced him to friends.

But Kepczynski turned on Mr Giudici and gave him a savage beating, which resulted in him sustaining 31 separate injuries.

Kepczynski claimed he acted in self-defence but was convicted at the High Court in Livingston last month.

He was sentenced yesterday at the High Court in Edinburgh by temporary judge John Beckett, QC, who told him he was being jailed for life and would have to serve at least 14 years before he would be eligible for parole.

Judge Beckett said: "I have read the impact statements from the victim's family. It is clear their loss has had a profound effect to them practically and emotionally.

"His parents tell how they have suffered. His fiancee tells how she has lost a loved one and his daughter has told of how she has suffered a great loss."