Ambulance Worker Sentenced for Hammer Attack

Stacey Smith, a 46-year-old ambulance worker, has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for a brutal hammer attack on her manager, Michala Morton, in Tameside, Greater Manchester. The assault, which occurred on November 11, 2023, followed a prolonged dispute over shift patterns exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, during which Smith felt resentment after being denied the opportunity to work the same shifts as her wife. After ambushing Morton outside her home, Smith struck her multiple times with a hammer, resulting in serious head injuries and a broken wrist for the victim. Following the attack, Smith texted a friend, admitting to the crime with a chilling message, and later surrendered to the police. Judge Manley noted Smith's lack of remorse and described her actions as premeditated and filled with rage. The court's decision included a five-year license period after her prison sentence, highlighting the profound impact of the attack on Morton’s life.