Murder accused 'complained about wife drinking'

Mohamed Samak, 42, denies killing his wife Joanne Samak, 49, at their home

A man accused of murdering his wife complained to his mother-in-law about her daughter's drinking and how they were sleeping in separate beds, a court heard.

Egyptian national and ex-international hockey player Mohamed Samak, 42, denies killing his wife Joanne, 49, at their home in Droitwich Spa, Worcestershire, in the early hours of 1 July last year.

Mrs Samak's mother, Penelope Vale, was questioned about her daughter's relationship during his trial at Worcester Crown Court.

With regard to her daughter's drinking, Mrs Vale told the jury she did not think it gave any cause for concern.

On 28 June, 2024, Mrs Vale, Mr and Mrs Samak and their son went to a school picnic and everything seemed okay, Mrs Vale said.

'Needing alcohol'

The day after, Mrs Samak went to get a haircut and was "very happy, glad to be going out with her friends", she told the court.

That evening Mr Samak was not at home but called his son, who told his father: "I'm going to nanna's for a sleepover."

However, jurors then heard the seven-year-old made an unusual comment on the way to Mrs Vale's house, saying "you drink alcohol, daddy drinks alcohol, I'm never going to drink alcohol", adding "mummy says she needs alcohol, she can't live without it".

Mrs Vale replied she didn't think that was the case.

She told the court her daughter usually drank wine, usually with a meal, but didn't tend to drink during the week.

On Sunday 30 June, Mrs Vale and her husband drove their grandson home and Mrs Samak was in bed.

Jurors heard she came downstairs later, but seemed tired and had a chesty cough, so they watched a film.

'She hit her head'

Mrs Vale mentioned the alcohol conversation to her daughter, who said she had never said anything like "I need alcohol", and got upset.

Jurors heard there was a further text conversation and Mrs Samak said: "I've massively reduced how much I drink."

On 1 July however, at about 08:00 BST police were called to the house.

Mrs Vale said her grandson told her he had heard a shout and said: "Daddy was in the bedroom standing by a cupboard. She hit her head on the corner of the cupboard."

She told the court the boy asked: "Will daddy have to go to jail?"

The boy also said his father told him "mummy had died", jurors heard.

The trial continues.