Ambulance Worker Sentenced for Hammer Attack

Stacey Smith, a 46-year-old ambulance worker, has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for attempting to murder her boss, Michala Morton, in a brutal hammer attack driven by a long-standing dispute over work shift patterns. On November 11, 2022, Smith waited outside Morton's home and assaulted her as she left for work, inflicting severe injuries, including a broken wrist. Following the attack, Smith texted a friend with a chilling message saying, 'I've done it. I've smashed her head in. Oopsie xx!' The court heard that Smith had harbored resentment against Morton, which escalated over time, particularly during the pandemic when shift schedules were altered. Judge Hilary Manley noted Smith showed little remorse for her actions and had previously filed grievances against Morton. The attack left Morton with life-changing injuries and has caused her ongoing mental health issues, including PTSD.