Ex-international hockey player who claimed wife stabbed herself to death jailed for her murder

A hockey coach who brutally stabbed his wife to death has been jailed for life and will serve a minimum term of 21 years for her murder.

Mohamed Samak, 43, stabbed Joanne Samak, 49, six times at their home in Chestnut Spinney, Droitwich Spa, on 1 July last year - but claimed she had taken her own life. He was found guilty of her murder on Wednesday after a retrial during which police found new evidence of hidden bloodstained clothing.

A jury at an earlier trial had failed to reach a verdict. Prosecutors told the court Samak had killed his wife, a successful interior designer, because he was suffering financial problems and had become interested in another woman.

He believed his wife, who was the main breadwinner, would leave him after problems in their marriage. "When Jo drew away from you, falling out of love with you, that was something you couldn't emotionally cope with," said Judge James Burbidge KC.

The trial heard Ms Samak had suffered six stab wounds to her chest and abdomen, ranging between 2.5cm and 10cm deep. Medical experts told Worcester Crown Court that severe force had been needed to penetrate her breastbone, making it highly unlikely she could have stabbed herself.

Samak, a former Egyptian international hockey player and coach who worked with the Wales under-18s team, had initially told emergency responders his wife had stabbed herself and he had discovered her wounds, but failed to provide medical attention. He also said his wife had alcohol and mental health problems - assertions strongly refuted by her family and friends.

On Friday, he was given a life sentence with a minimum 21-year prison term, and the judge described his crimes as "wicked beyond comprehension". He said Samak had destroyed the lives of Ms Samak's family, and further sought to besmirch her character with false allegations.

"The emotion you disclose is either feigned or emotion based on self-pity. I cannot accept you are remorseful because you still deny responsibility and put Jo's loved ones through the trauma of two trials," the judge said.

Ms Samak's mother Penny Vale told the court she would "never get over" the loss of her daughter who "had everything to live for". "As her mum, I am utterly heartbroken and not a day goes by where I don't think of Jo and cry," she said.

Ms Samak's brother, Mark Vale, told the court the horror of his sister's violent death haunts him every day. "For this to happen in the home she loved and felt safe in is unthinkable," he said.

Read more from Sky News:Ex-sergeant major jailed for sexually assaulting teenage soldierAndrew's been ordered out of his mansion - where will he live next? The court heard how the couple had met in 2011 when Ms Samak went on a trip to Egypt. Samak was an employee at the hotel she stayed at - and they conducted a long-distance relationship before marrying in 2014 and settling in Worcestershire.

Samak failed to find steady employment in the UK, and admitted in court to seeking out a romance with another woman. After his violent stabbing spree, Judge Burbridge said Samak had chosen not to administer CPR, despite having a first aid kit in his room.

He said Samak instead focused on covering up his crime, and hid the bloodstained clothing in the loft. "You became blinded by your needs and own self-worth, not supported by your wife by your own perception.

You have destroyed a family," the judge added..