Ambulance worker jailed for trying to kill boss with hammer in 'frenzied' attack

Tuesday, 29 October 2024 23:39

An ambulance worker has been jailed for 20 years after she tried to kill her boss with a hammer, before texting "oppsie xx!" to a friend, police said.

Stacey Smith waited outside her manager's home before attempting to murder her in what Greater Manchester Police (GMP) described as an "unprovoked and frenzied hammer attack".

The 46-year-old was said to be "filled with rage after a prolonged row over work shift patterns", the force added.

Smith was said to have arrived at her manager's home in Dukinfield, Tameside, at 5.30am on 11 November last year, when she knew she would be getting ready to leave for work.

When she did leave, Smith repeatedly hit her over the head with the hammer and "screamed" she was "going to kill her", police said.

The victim sustained serious head injuries and a broken wrist trying to defend herself.

Residents came out after the attack to help the victim, administering first aid and covering the hammer with a plastic bag.

After the attempted murder, Smith messaged a friend: "I've done it. I've smashed her head in. Oppsie xx!"

She added that she would "go on the run" to Liverpool, the force said.

Instead, she handed herself in and was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.

Smith was sentenced to 20 years in prison and a further five years on licence at Manchester Crown Court on Tuesday.

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Smith was also given a whole-life restraining order banning her from contacting the victim.

When speaking to officers, she said she had worked with her boss since 2017, but their relationship had worsened since COVID.

The attack followed a row over shift patterns, GMP said.

Detective Constable Stephen McNee, from Tameside Criminal Investigation Department, said: "This was a particularly violent attack on the victim which left her with serious and life-changing injuries.

"Physically, injuries may heal but the mental trauma of the attack will stay with the victim for life."

Sky News