Worcestershire murder trial: Hockey coach sobs after hearing his wife no longer loved him, court hears

A court has heard that a man accused of stabbing his wife to death broke down in tears when police revealed she had confessed to a friend that she no longer loved him.

Mohamed Samak, a 42-year-old former Egyptian international hockey player, is on trial for the alleged murder of his wife, Joanne Samak, at their home in Droitwich Spa, Worcestershire, on 1 July 2024. He denies the charge, claiming that Joanne, 49, fatally stabbed herself.

The prosecution argues that Samak, who was struggling financially and had been speaking to another woman, killed Joanne in a fit of rage. The court was told that, in a police interview on 3 July, officers confronted him with Joanne’s alleged words to a friend: “I wish I could divorce him.”

Upon hearing this, Samak wept. “She never said that,” he insisted. “If she was unhappy, why didn’t she tell me? I gave up my country, my career, and my family for her.”

The trial at Worcester Crown Court has heard conflicting accounts of Joanne’s death. Initially, Samak told police he had found her slumped on the bed, a knife embedded in her stomach. However, when pressed, he changed his version, claiming he had witnessed her stabbing herself multiple times.

Officers pointed out further inconsistencies, highlighting that he had first stated there were no noises from Joanne, only for a neighbour to report hearing a chilling “almighty scream” lasting up to ten seconds at around 3 am. When questioned about the contradiction, Samak admitted, “I was frightened… I didn’t mean to lie.”

One of the most damning details was the hour-long delay before Samak called 999. Prosecutors suggested he had used the time to “cover up” what had really happened. In response, he claimed he was in shock, stating, “I tried to help her… I stopped thinking. Everything happened so fast.”

Despite his denials, evidence presented in court painted a picture of a troubled marriage. The financial strain had been mounting, with Joanne frequently reminding her husband to transfer his share of the household bills. Phone records showed that Samak had sought out nightshift jobs in retail, hotels, and delivery work.

Additionally, police discovered that he had been speaking to another woman and had even met her in London, though he insisted he would “never, ever” cheat on Joanne.

The court also heard that, in the months leading up to her death, Joanne had been struggling with mental health and alcohol issues. However, prosecutors maintain that it was Samak—not Joanne—who inflicted the fatal wounds.

As the trial continues, the jury must decide whether Joanne truly took her own life or whether her husband’s financial woes and alleged affair drove him to commit murder.