Police ScotlandA man murdered his partner in a horror hammer attack after being banned from going near her.
Joseph Greer was wearing an electronic tag when he attacked Samantha Lee at his flat in Aberdeen in January this year.
The body of the much-loved 54-year-old mother-of-three was discovered when a friend of Greer came to his door.
The 40-year-old confessed: “Samantha is dead. She is in the kitchen.”
Samantha was killed by Greer, having been repeatedly struck with a claw hammer.
He now faces a life sentence after admitting to a murder charge at the High Court in Glasgow on Friday.
The couple had been in a relationship since 2021.
Prior to the murder, Samantha was attacked by Greer in October 2025, which was captured on mobile phone footage by a passerby.
Greer was caught on top of his partner, hitting her in Aberdeen’s George Street.
He was also seen repeatedly smacking Samantha with a handset from a public phone as she yelled in pain.
Greer was arrested for the attack and appeared in court the next day.
He was eventually bailed with an order not to go near Samantha.
Greer was also put on a curfew, resulting in him having to wear an electronic tag.
Prosecutor Graeme Jessop KC said the exact time or date of the murder was not known.
But, it emerged that Samantha had contacted a friend via Facebook last December 31, and that she feared Greer was “going to kill her”.
The mum was last seen on CCTV at a local shop on New Year’s Day and had also spoken to one of her daughters on the phone.
A friend of Greer visited him at his Bedford Road bedsit on January 4.
It was there that the killer initially stated: “I have something to tell you.”
The other person went on to discover Samantha’s body in the flat.
This individual stayed at the scene, but Greer left the block.
The court was told Samantha had suffered a series of blunt force head injuries, including fractures.
No weapon was found, but Greer had earlier told a friend that he owned a claw hammer.
Greer was later arrested elsewhere in Aberdeen. Forensic evidence also linked him to the murder.
Mr Jessop said the killer – previously jailed for violence – had been on a total of three bail orders at the time.
Greer also pled guilty to the aggravated assault of Samantha during the October 2025 street attack.
Lord Renucci is due to tell Greer the minimum he will spend behind bars when he returns to the dock on August 7 in Dundee.
The judge stated: “You have pled guilty to the most appalling offences – cowardly as they are despicable.”
At the time of her death, Samantha’s family paid tribute to her, describing her as “infectiously funny”.
They added 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.”
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