A domestic abuser who bludgeoned his partner to death has been jailed for life. Joseph Greer brutally attacked Samantha Lee in a prolonged and violent assault at his flat in Aberdeen in January.
The body of the much-loved 54 year-old mother-of-three was discovered when Greer’s friend came to his door. The 40 year-old confessed: “Samantha is dead. She is in the kitchen.”
Samantha was killed after Greer repeatedly struck her with a claw hammer. He was handed 22 years behind bars at the High Court in Dundee today. The couple had been in a relationship since 2021.
Laura Buchan, Legal Director at the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) said: “Joseph Greer carried out a brutal and sustained attack on Samantha Lee before failing to raise the alarm. This is a tragic case where domestic abuse escalated to murder.
“Samantha was a much-loved mother, sister, auntie and nanny. Her family have lost someone who meant so much to them, and they have been deprived of years of precious memories together.
View 3 ImagesThe High Court in Dundee.(Image: Daily Record.)
“Samantha’s death is a stark reminder of the devastating impact violence against women and girls can have. Prosecutors will continue to use every legal tool available to hold those responsible for domestic abuse to account.”
Samantha was a victim at the hands of Greer before her tragic death. In graphic mobile phone footage captured by a passer-by, the thug was caught on top of Samantha hitting her in Aberdeen’s George Street last October 14.
He was also seen repeatedly smacking Samantha with a handset from a public phone as she yelled in pain. Greer was arrested for that attack and appeared in court the next day.
He was eventually bailed with an order not to go near Samantha. Greer, who is originally from Coventry, England, was also put on a curfew resulting in him having to wear an electronic tag.
Prosecutor Graeme Jessop KC previously said the exact time or date of the murder were not known. But, it emerged Samantha had contacted a friend via Facebook on Hogmanay and said that she feared Greer was “going to kill her”.
View 3 ImagesThe High Court in Glasgow.(Image: John Linton/PA Wire.)
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 the killer initially stated: “I have something to tell you.” The other person went on to make the grim find of Samantha’s body in the bloodbath flat and was so concerned he 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.
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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. He admitted to the latest murder charge at the High Court in Glasgow in June.