MALVERN COLLEGE HOCKEY COACH CONVICTED OF STABBED WIFE TO DEATH IN FRONT OF SON
On October 30, 2025, Mohamed Samak, aged 43 and residing in Chestnut Spinney, Droitwich Spa, was convicted of murdering his wife Joanne, who was 49.The case revealed that the motive for the killing was linked to financial difficulties and an extramarital interest.
Samak, a former international hockey player for Egypt and a coach working with the Wales under-18s, had maintained that he found Joanne self-inflicted her wounds in their home on July 1 of the previous year.
However, prosecutors argued that Samak, who had no stable employment at the time, attacked Joanne because of his own financial and emotional problems.
The evidence showed she was stabbed six times with injuries deep enough to penetrate her chest wall, making it unlikely she caused these wounds herself.
Despite Samak’s claim that Joanne died by her own hand, a retrial at Worcester Crown Court concluded with a guilty verdict from the jury, following an earlier trial that ended with no verdict.
The Crown Prosecution Service’s Jonathan Roe stated that Samak attempted to cover up the murder with false claims of suicide and had lied to police, which caused additional distress to Joanne’s family.
They described her as a loving mother and a talented woman with a zest for life.
Samak is scheduled for sentencing on Friday.
The trial also covered the background of the couple, highlighting their 10-year marriage, issues in their relationship, and Samak’s rekindled relationship with a woman from France without Joanne’s knowledge.
During the incident, Samak claimed to have been awakened by a scream and found Joanne attempting to harm herself, but evidence indicated he was the perpetrator, with blood evidence found on clothing hidden in their loft.
Joanne’s family expressed their grief, recalling her kindness, creativity, and the significant loss her death brought to all who loved her.
