Joseph Greer, 39, has admitted to murdering his partner Samantha Lee, 54, in Aberdeen, despite being subject to a court order that prohibited him from approaching her and required him to wear an electronic monitoring tag. The plea was entered at the High Court in Glasgow on Friday, June 26, 2026.
Details of the attack
Lee's body was discovered at her home on Bedford Road on Sunday, January 4, 2026. The court heard that Greer had attacked her with a hammer, causing multiple blunt force injuries to her head, including fractures. The murder weapon was never recovered, though Greer had previously told a friend he owned a claw hammer.
Prosecutor Graeme Jessop KC stated that the exact time of the attack remains unknown. Lee was last seen on CCTV at a local shop on January 1 and had spoken to one of her children on the phone. She had also contacted a friend on December 31, expressing fear that Greer was "going to kill her."
Greer's confession and arrest
After the attack, Greer confessed to a friend who visited him at Bedford Road, saying, "I have something to tell you... Samantha is dead. She is in the kitchen." The friend then found Lee's body. Greer fled the scene but was later arrested elsewhere in Aberdeen. Forensic evidence linked him to the murder.
Judge Lord Renucci condemned the crime, stating: "You have pled guilty to the most appalling offences - cowardly as they are despicable." Greer is due to be sentenced on Friday, August 7, at the High Court in Dundee.
Background of abuse
The relationship between Greer and Lee began in 2021. In October 2025, Greer was involved in a serious incident on a street in Aberdeen, where he was seen on top of Lee and repeatedly hitting her with a public phone handset. He was arrested, released on bail, and issued a court order banning contact with Lee and requiring him to wear an electronic tag as part of a curfew.
Family's statement
In a statement released on Friday, Lee's family said: "Today, we acknowledge the conviction of the person responsible for taking our mum’s life. No verdict can ever bring her back or erase the pain, grief, and loss our family has experienced. Our mum was a loving, caring, and valued person whose life was taken from us far too soon. Her absence is felt every day, and the impact of this crime has changed our family forever."
Police response
Detective Inspector James Callander said: "My thoughts remain with Samantha’s family and friends as they continue to try to come to terms with what happened. Nothing can make up for their loss, but I hope this outcome will bring them some form of comfort. This was a shocking attack which caused concern in the local area, and I would like to thank the community for their patience and assistance throughout our investigation. Greer now faces the consequences of his despicable actions. Violence such as this is never acceptable in our communities and we will work tirelessly to ensure those responsible are brought to justice."
