Man Killed Partner While Banned from Contact
A man murdered his partner with a hammer in Aberdeen while subject to a court order prohibiting him from approaching her.
Joseph Greer, 40, was wearing an electronic tag at the time of the attack on 54-year-old Samantha Lee in January.
He pleaded guilty to murder at the High Court in Glasgow and is scheduled to be sentenced later this year.
Judge Lord Renucci said: "You have pled guilty to the most appalling offences - cowardly as they are despicable."
Family members described the victim, a mother, as "loving, patient and endlessly caring."
This story contains details that readers may find distressing.
Background and Previous Incidents
The court heard that Greer and Lee had been in a relationship since 2021.
In October of the previous year, Greer was observed on top of Lee in a street altercation. He was also seen repeatedly striking her with the handset of a public phone.
Following these incidents, Greer was arrested and appeared in court. He was subsequently released on bail with an order not to approach Lee.
Additionally, he was placed under a curfew requiring him to wear an electronic tag.
Prosecutor Graeme Jessop KC stated that the exact time of the murder remains unknown.
On 31 December, the victim contacted a friend expressing fear that Greer was "going to kill her."
She was last captured on CCTV at a local shop on New Year's Day and had a phone conversation with one of her children on the same day.
Discovery of the Crime
On 4 January, a friend of Greer visited him at his bedsit on Bedford Road.
During the visit, Greer said:
"I have something to tell you."He then confessed:
"Samantha is dead. She is in the kitchen."
The friend discovered the body, which showed multiple blunt force injuries to the head, including fractures.
Greer left the scene, and no weapon was found at the location. However, he had previously told a friend that he owned a claw hammer.
He was later arrested elsewhere in Aberdeen. Forensic evidence linked him to the murder.
On Friday, Greer admitted to both the murder and the aggravated assault of his partner in October 2025.
Lord Renucci will announce the minimum custodial term when Greer returns to the dock on 7 August at the High Court in Dundee.
Tributes to the Victim
At the time of Samantha Lee's death, 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."
