Tameside ambulance worker jailed after trying to murder her boss in a ‘frenzied hammer attack’

An ambulance worker has been jailed after attempting to murder her boss in an ‘unprovoked and frenzied hammer attack’.

After what had been described as a “prolonged row” over work shift patterns, Stacey Smith, from the Tameside area of Greater Manchester, turned up outside her boss’s house in Dukinfield at 5:30am on 11 November 2023 when she knew the victim would be getting ready to leave for work, and repeatedly hit the her boss over the head with a hammer causing serious head injuries and leaving her with a broken wrist in defence.

The 46-year-old screamed at the victim during the attack that she was going to kill her.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) called Smith’s attempted murder of her boss – whom she had worked with since 2017 – an “unprovoked and frenzied hammer attack filled with rage”.

A number of neighbours came out to help the victim following the attack, giving her first aid and ensuring that the hammer that Smith left behind was covered in a plastic bag ready to be forensically examined by Crime Scene Investigators.

Smith later sent text messages to a friend after the attack saying: “I’ve done it. I’ve smashed her head in. Oppsie xx!”.

While initially telling her friend that she would “go on the run” to Liverpool, Smith instead handed herself into Ashton Police Station, and was subsequently arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.

Following police interviews, Smith pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm with intent, but denied attempting to kill her boss.

Following a hearing at Manchester Crown Court this week, Smith was charged with two counts of possession of an offensive weapon in a public place and attempted murder, and sentenced to a total of 25 years – including 20 years in prison – as well as receiving a whole-life restraining order banning her from contacting the victim.

Detective Constable Stephen McNee, GMP’s Tameside Criminal Investigation Department, described this as “a particularly violent attack”.

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Speaking after the sentencing this week, DC McNee said: “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.”

Featured Image – GMP