Joseph Greer, 40, has admitted to murdering his partner Samantha Lee, 54, by striking her repeatedly with a claw hammer at his flat in Aberdeen in January this year. The attack occurred while Greer was subject to a court order banning him from contacting Lee and was wearing an electronic tag as part of a curfew.
Details of the Attack
The body of the mother-of-three was discovered on January 4 when a friend of Greer visited his bedsit on Bedford Road. Greer told the friend, "Samantha is dead. She is in the kitchen." The friend then found Lee's body in the blood-soaked flat and remained at the scene, but Greer left the block. He was later arrested elsewhere in Aberdeen.
Prosecutor Graeme Jessop KC told the High Court in Glasgow that the exact time or date of the murder is unknown, but Lee had contacted a friend via Facebook on December 31 last year expressing fear that Greer was "going to kill her." She was last seen on CCTV at a local shop on New Year's Day and had spoken to one of her daughters by phone.
Previous Violence and Bail Conditions
Lee had previously been a victim of Greer's violence. In October last year, a passer-by captured mobile phone footage showing Greer on top of Lee, hitting her in Aberdeen's George Street. He was also seen repeatedly striking her with a handset from a public phone as she screamed in pain. Greer was arrested for that attack and appeared in court the next day. He was eventually granted bail with a condition not to approach Lee and was placed under a curfew, requiring him to wear an electronic tag.
At the time of the murder, Greer was subject to three separate bail orders. He had previously been jailed for violence.
Forensic Evidence and Guilty Plea
Forensic evidence linked Greer to the murder. No weapon was found, but Greer had earlier told a friend he owned a claw hammer. Lee suffered multiple blunt-force head injuries, including fractures. Greer also pleaded guilty to the aggravated assault of Lee during the October 2025 street attack.
Lord Renucci, presiding over the case, stated: "You have pleaded guilty to the most appalling offences – cowardly as they are despicable." He will sentence Greer on August 7 in Dundee, where he will set the minimum term Greer must serve in prison before being considered for parole.
Family Tribute
Following Lee's death, her family paid tribute, describing her as "infectiously funny." They said in a statement: "She had a rare ability to light up any room and make people feel at ease, leaving behind a legacy of love, laughter and treasured memories that will never be forgotten."
