A top public school hockey coach accused of murdering his wife told a 999 call handler “she’s got a knife in her tummy” after allegedly stabbing the 49-year-old interior designer to death in front of their young son, a court has heard.
Mohamed Samak, 43, who represented Egypt internationally and was a member of the England over-40s squad, is standing trial at Worcester Crown Court for the murder of his wife Joanne at their home in Chestnut Spinney, Droitwich, Worcestershire, on 1 July last year.
The jury heard that the elite hockey coach, who previously served as head coach of the Welsh under-18s boys and girls teams and worked as head of boys’ hockey at prestigious Malvern College, attacked his wife in the early hours whilst their young son was present in the house.
Neighbours Heard Screams at 3am
Prosecutor Matthew Brook KC told the court that the couple slept in separate bedrooms at their family home. At around 3am on the night of the alleged murder, neighbours reported hearing a woman scream and a little boy crying, yet Samak did not call emergency services until 4.09am.
Reading from a transcript of the emergency call, Mr Brook revealed that Samak initially dialled 911, which was automatically transferred to a 999 handler. When asked what was wrong, Samak replied: “Yes, please, I’m in some trouble… please, I need to help my wife.”
When the operator pressed for details, asking “what about your wife?”, Samak responded: “She’s got a knife in her tummy.”
The prosecutor noted that when directly asked if his wife had stabbed herself, Samak replied: “I think so, I think so.” Mr Brook told the jury: “If it really were that Joanne had stabbed herself, it should have been a very clear ‘yes she did’.”
Changing Stories Raise Suspicions
The court heard that Samak initially told the call handler he had gone to the toilet, looked inside his wife’s bedroom and discovered her slumped, half in and half out of her bed. He claimed to have turned her over, seen blood and then the knife, before attempting CPR until police and medics arrived.
However, Mr Brook revealed that Samak later changed his account, telling police he had actually witnessed his wife stabbing herself in the stomach. He claimed he waited an hour to call authorities because he was “in shock” and “struggling to breathe.”
The prosecution argued this changing narrative was an attempt to “fit the evidence” after neighbours reported hearing screams at 3am, a full hour before Samak’s emergency call.
Young Son’s Testimony
Perhaps most harrowing was the account from the couple’s young son, who cannot be named for legal reasons. The child spoke with his grandmother about the traumatic night, with Mr Brook telling the court: “He said [his father] picked mummy up off the bed and she had hit her head on the corner of a cupboard.”
The boy was later interviewed by specially trained officers and built a Lego replica of his mother’s bedroom where he had been sleeping that night. According to prosecutors, the child stated: “He said when he was in mummy’s room, daddy picked mummy up to see what was in her hands. When daddy picked mummy up he had wrapped his arms around her tummy.”
Crucially, the boy recalled: “He had been woken up by mummy shouting ‘put me down’.”
Fatal Wound to the Heart
Post-mortem examination revealed Mrs Samak suffered multiple stab wounds, but it was a knife wound to the heart that proved fatal. The prosecution maintains Samak murdered his wife, whilst the defence claims she inflicted the wounds upon herself.
“The defendant says she inflicted these stab wounds on herself,” Mr Brook stated. “The prosecution says that we are sure that the defendant stabbed his wife and murdered her.”
Elite Sporting Background
Samak’s prestigious career in hockey saw him rise to international level, representing Egypt and earning selection for the England over-40s squad. His coaching credentials were equally impressive, having served as head coach for both the Welsh under-18s boys and girls teams.
At Malvern College, one of Britain’s most exclusive schools with fees reaching £57,285 per year, Samak held the position of head of boys’ hockey, working with some of the country’s most promising young players at a school renowned for producing international hockey talent.
Holiday Romance Led to Marriage
The court heard that the couple’s relationship began in 2011 when Mrs Samak travelled to Egypt on holiday. Samak was working as the head of sports and activities provision for guests at her hotel. The pair married in 2014, with Samak subsequently moving to the UK.
However, prosecutors allege the marriage had deteriorated, with the couple sleeping in separate bedrooms. The court has been told that Samak had rekindled contact with a former romantic interest from France and was experiencing financial difficulties, with Mrs Samak being the primary breadwinner through her interior design business.
Previous Trial Without Verdict
This is not the first time Samak has faced trial for his wife’s murder. In February 2025, a jury was unable to reach a verdict after a two-week trial, leading to the current retrial. During that earlier proceeding, Samak had admitted to the court that he “couldn’t keep lying any more” about his account of his wife’s death.
Family members and friends have disputed Samak’s claims that his wife was struggling with mental health and alcohol issues, testifying that she was “happy” and “loved her work” as an interior designer. She had been planning a party and trip to Paris for her upcoming 50th birthday.
Samak, who moved to the UK after marrying Joanne in 2014, denies murder. The trial, expected to last five weeks, continues at Worcester Crown Court.
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