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 yesterday, Stacey Smith (46) of Ascot Street, was charged with two 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 (pictured) 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.

The offender turned up outside her boss’s house at 5.30am on November 11, 2023 in Dukinfield, Tameside, knowing she 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.

Instead she 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 the 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.”

Greater Manchester Police are looking for witnesses who may have seen a firearm discharged in Bury.

A man in his 30s suffered a gunshot wound to his wrist, during the incident outside a bar in Silver Street, at 11.43pm on Wednesday.

Within an hour of the incident being reported to police, officers alongside specialist armed response teams arrested a 19-year-old man on suspicion of attempted murder. He has since been bailed pending further investigation.

Through enquiries, its believed the suspect was on a black e-bike and left the scene in the direction of Bury Interchange.

At this time, enquiries suggest that there was a minor altercation at around 11.20pm. The offender left on an e-bike and returned a short time later. It is also believed that the victim and offender were not known to one another.

The injured man was taken to hospital where he remains in a stable condition receiving treatment for his injuries.

Detective inspector Chris Mannion said: “We know that our local communities in Bury will be rightly shocked when they hear of this news. We also share this concern and that is why we continue to work hard to investigate and build a full timeline of events leading up to this incident.

“A man has been seriously injured and the lives of others put at risk. It is vital that those responsible are brought to justice. We believe this to be an isolated attack with no wider threat to the community.

“Through CCTV enquiries this morning, we are appealing for witnesses to come forward and speak to officers, you may have vital information that could help us progress our enquiries.

“If you were in the area on Wednesday evening and saw or heard anything suspicious, or have CCTV or dashcam footage that could help us with our enquiries, we ask you to contact 101 quoting log 3717 of 23/10/2024.

“Any information, no matter how small, could help us find those who are responsible.”