Domestic abuser who murdered partner with hammer is jailed

ByMarta Leshyk

BBC Scotland News

A man who murdered his partner with a claw hammer in his home in Aberdeen while banned from approaching her has been jailed for a minimum of 22 years.

Joseph Greer, 40, was wearing an electronic tag when he attacked 54-year-old Samantha Lee in January in a "prolonged and violent" assault.

He previously admitted murder at the High Court in Glasgow in June.

Judge Lord Renucci told Greer he "could not imagine a worst example of domestic abuse", which he said was a "scourge on society".

The judge said: "In inflicting those injuries, you deprived three adult children of their much-loved mother."

Lord Renucci added that a social work report on Greer made "worrying reading", and that even though he had admitted his guilt, Greer exhibited a "degree of victim blaming".

Prosecutors said Lee's death showed "the devastating impact violence against women and girls can have".

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The court heard that Lee and Greer had been in a relationship for four years.

Greer had previously been seen on top of Lee in a street last October, repeatedly hitting her with the handset from a public phone.

Lord Renucci told Greer that the attack was "as shocking as it was cowardly".

He said: "If you were prepared to act like that in the middle of a public street, in the knowledge you were being filmed, then the horror of what must have occurred when you went onto murder Miss Lee in the privacy of your own home does not bear thinking about."

Greer was arrested and appeared in court for the assault, but was bailed, with an order not to approach his partner.

Prosecutor Graeme Jessop KC said the exact time of the murder was not known.

Lee had contacted a friend on 31 December and said she feared Greer was going to kill her.

She was last seen on CCTV at a local shop on New Year's Day and had also spoken to one of her children on the phone.

The court heard that a friend of Greer visited him at his Bedford Road bedsit on 4 January, where Greer told him "Samantha is dead. She is in the kitchen."

The court was told she had suffered a series of blunt force head injuries, including fractures.

No weapon was found, but he had earlier told a friend he owned a claw hammer.

Lord Renucci said: "You took hold of her and repeatedly struck her on the head and body with a claw hammer or similar type implement whereby she fell to the floor."

He added that the assault continued while Lee was lying defenceless on the ground, leaving her with "catastrophic head injuries" from which she died.

Tony Lenehan KC, defending, said Greer had described Lee as a "rare positive" in his life and could not articulate why he killed his partner.

Greer was jailed for life and ordered to serve at least 22 years before he can apply for parole.

At the time of her death, Lee's relatives said: "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."

Following the sentencing, Laura Buchan of the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service said Greer had 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."

She said Lee had been 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.

"Samantha's death is a stark reminder of the devastating impact violence against women and girls can have."