An ambulance worker, Stacey Smith, 46, is currently on trial after allegedly attempting to murder her boss, Michala Morton, in a “frenzied” hammer attack over a dispute regarding shift patterns. The incident occurred outside Morton’s home in Dukinfield, England, at 5:30 a.m. on November 11, 2022, as she was leaving for work. Smith is accused of ambushing Morton, hitting her on the head, and screaming that she was going to kill her. Morton sustained a fractured wrist while defending herself from the attack.
The conflict between Smith and Morton, an operations manager at North West Ambulance Service (NWAS), reportedly began over disagreements about shift patterns during the COVID-19 pandemic. Smith, an ambulance care assistant, and her wife, who also worked at NWAS, had filed a grievance requesting to work together and share non-working days. Although some allowances were initially made, tensions resurfaced as further disputes about work schedules emerged.
In July 2022, resentment intensified when Smith and her wife were unable to attend the funeral of a regular patient due to work commitments. That evening, Smith allegedly began posting abusive messages on Facebook, directed at Morton. Morton reported the posts to NWAS and requested that Smith and her wife be removed from her team, a request that was denied.
Following the incident, Smith was put on sick leave for mental health concerns and remained absent for six months. Upon her return, she and her wife were again placed under Morton’s management, leading to further frustration. A complaint filed by Smith was pending resolution when, just days before an HR meeting, Smith allegedly attacked Morton outside her home.
During the attack, Smith called a friend from the scene, expressing that she “couldn’t take it anymore.” After the assault, she drove away but later turned herself in to the police. In court, it was revealed that Smith had expressed candidly to psychiatrists her intent to kill Morton, stating that she wished she had completed the act.
Smith has pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm with intent but denies the charge of attempted murder. The trial continues.