Ambulance worker sentenced for 25 years after trying to kill her boss in Tameside

An ambulance worker who denied threatening to kill her boss has now been handed a 20 year prison sentence, extended to 25 years on license after a sentencing hearing at Manchester Crown court today.

Stacey Smith (28/06/1978) of Ascot Street was sentenced to a total of 25 years after being charged with 2 counts of possession of an offensive weapon in a public place and attempted murder last year. She has also received a whole-life restraining order banning her from contacting the victim.

Smith waited outside her boss’s home and attempted to murder her during an unprovoked and frenzied hammer attack which was filled with rage after a prolonged row over work shift patterns.

She turned up outside her boss’s house at 5.30am on 11 November 2023 in Dukinfield, Tameside. Smith knew that the victim would be getting ready to leave and start her shift.

Smith repeatedly hit the victim over the head with a hammer causing serious head injuries, the victim suffered a broken wrist as she tried to lift her arm to defend herself. During the attack Smith screamed at the victim that she was going to kill her.

A number of neighbours came out to help the victim, 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!” and that she would ‘go on the run’ to Liverpool but instead came to her senses and handed herself into Ashton Police Station, where she was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.

Whilst being questioned by officers from Tameside Criminal Investigation Department, Smith said that the disagreement was after a row over shift patterns and that her relationship with her manager had deteriorated since the COVID-19 pandemic, despite working together since 2017. Smith pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm with intent, but denied attempting to kill her manager.

Detective Constable Stephen McNee of GMP’s 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. 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.

“As a Force, we are committed to locating, identifying and charging individuals who commit violent attacks such as this in Greater Manchester and we do everything in our power to investigate these incidents and bring those responsible to justice.

If you or anyone you know has been a victim of violence, please contact us by calling 101 or through the website live chat function, at www.gmp.police.uk.

Information can also be passed anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Always dial 999 in an emergency.