A MAN died from drowning eight hours after the body of his former

girlfriend was found in her home, the results of a post mortem

examination yesterday showed.

It also emerged that one of the three women Bert Samson had married

killed herself after he had faced a charge of attempting to murder her,

and he was convicted of assaulting a second wife.

Samson's body was recovered from Methil docks on Friday. Police had

found the body of Mrs Georgie Weir, a 39-year-old divorcee, in her home

in Brent Place, Glenrothes, the previous day. She had been strangled.

Police yesterday confirmed that they were not looking for anyone in

connection with the deaths.

Samson, 52, of Main Street, Thornton, Fife, had a violent history. He

had a number of convictions for breach of the peace and assault, but

never went to prison. He was sentenced to probation or community

service, disposals recommended by social workers in background reports.

Several years ago, Samson assisted authorities in a project involving

wayward Fife youngsters. A painter and decorator, he supervised them

while they painted houses in the Lochgelly and Ballingry areas.

A spokeswoman for Fife Regional Council confirmed he had been employed

by the social work department as a community service supervisor. He

worked with the authority for about one year, and left in March 1987.

His background emerged yesterday after a post mortem examination

revealed that he died from drowning early on Thursday morning, about

eight hours after strangling his former girlfriend.

Mrs Weir, a mother of a grown-up son and daughter, was a former dux of

Uddingston Grammar School. It is believed Samson strangled her then took

her red company Metro car to his former workplace at Methil docks and

drove off the quayside. His body was recovered on Friday afternoon.

As pathologists completed their examination, details of Samson's

''Jekyll and Hyde'' life, understood to be caused by drink problems and

suicidal tendencies, came to light. It emerged that:

* His first wife, Anna, mother of his only son who is now grown up,

left him and went to live in Canada.

* His second wife also left him. Samson was admonished at Cupar

Sheriff Court on a charge of assaulting her about 10 years ago.

* His third wife, Laurena, fled from the couple's home in Markinch

because of his violence. Samson pursued her to her parents' home in

Callander, broke in, attempted to strangle her, and slashed her car

tyres.

He originally faced an attempted murder charge, but the

procurator-fiscal's office in Stirling yesterday confirmed the charge

had been reduced and Samson was sentenced to a total of 180 hours'

community service in June 1990.

* Nine months later, Laurena, who is believed to have been terrified

of Samson and may have been subjected to further assaults she was afraid

to report to police, led a hose pipe from the exhaust of her car and

killed herself.