A man who murdered his partner with a claw hammer in Aberdeen has been sentenced to a minimum of 22 years in prison. Joseph Greer, 40, attacked 54-year-old Samantha Lee in her home in January while he was subject to an electronic tag and prohibited from approaching her.
Greer pleaded guilty to murder at the High Court in Glasgow in June. During the sentencing, Judge Lord Renucci described Greer's actions as a "prolonged and violent" assault and stated that he "could not imagine a worst example of domestic abuse," calling it a "scourge on society."
The judge noted that Greer's actions deprived three adult children of their mother and highlighted that a social work report on Greer was "worrying reading." Lord Renucci also observed that Greer exhibited "a degree of victim blaming" despite admitting guilt.
Prosecutors stated that Lee's death demonstrated "the devastating impact violence against women and girls can have."