AN AMBULANCE worker who tried to kill her boss after a prolonged row over work shift patterns has been jailed for 20 years.
Stacey Smith waited outside her manager’s house in Dukinfield and attacked her with a hammer in a rage-filled and unprovoked attack.
Smith knew her boss would be getting ready to leave and start her shift when she turned up at 5.30am on November 11, 2023.
The victim suffered serious head injuries and a broken wrist as she was repeatedly struck and, during the attack, Smith screamed that she was going to kill her.
Smith dropped the hammer and drove off, as neighbours came to the victim’s aid and ensured the weapon was covered in a plastic bag for forensic examination.
Following the attack, Smith sent texts to a friend saying ‘I’ve done it, I’ve smashed her head in, Oppsie xx!’ and that she would ‘go on the run’ to Liverpool.
Instead, she came to her senses and handed herself in at Ashton-under-Lyne Police Station, where she was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.
When questioned by detectives, Smith disclosed that the disagreement with her boss was after a row over shift patterns and that, despite working together since 2017, their relationship had deteriorated since the Covid-19 pandemic.
Smith pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm with intent but denied attempting to kill her manager.
The 46-year-old, of Ascot Road in Newton Heath, was charged with two counts of possessing an offensive weapon in a public place and attempted murder last year.
On Tuesday (October 29) at Manchester Crown Court, she was sentenced to 20 years in prison, extended to 25 years on licence.
She has also received a whole-life restraining order, banning her from contacting the victim.
A senior investigating officer thanked the victim for her bravery and the residents who helped her in the aftermath of the attack.
“This was a particularly violent attack which left her with serious and life-changing injuries,” said Detective Constable Stephen McNee, of GMP’s Tameside CID.
“Physically, injuries may heal but the mental trauma of the attack will stay with the victim for life. I’d like to thank her for her bravery in supporting us with our investigation.
“I’d also like to thank the local residents who came to the victim’s aid on the morning of the attack, they ensured initial first aid was given to the victim before emergency services arrived and also made sure that the hammer was covered in a plastic bag to maximise the forensic evidence we could take.
“We are pleased with today’s result, which has seen a violent woman taken off the streets and we hope that this goes some way to helping the victim to come to terms with what has happened to her and allows her to heal.”
About The Author
