Ambulance Worker Sentenced to 20 Years After Hammer Attack on Manager Followed by Chilling “Oppsie xx” Text

Manchester, UK – A 46-year-old ambulance worker was sentenced to 20 years in prison after she brutally attacked her manager with a hammer in a dispute over work shift patterns, authorities said. Stacey Smith carried out the early morning assault at her boss’s home in Dukinfield, Tameside, leaving the victim with severe injuries.

On November 11 of the previous year, Smith, fueled by an intense fallout that worsened since the Covid-19 pandemic began, lay in wait for her manager. As the latter prepared to leave for work at 5:30 a.m., Smith struck her repeatedly on the head, screaming death threats during the assault.

The victim, whose identity remains protected, tried to defend herself but suffered serious head trauma and a broken wrist. Neighbors quickly intervened, administering first aid and preserving the crime scene by placing a plastic bag over the abandoned hammer, a key piece of evidence.

Shortly after the attack, Smith messaged a friend admitting to the assault, whimsically noting, “I’ve smashed her head in. Oppsie xx!” She mentioned fleeing to Liverpool but instead turned herself into Ashton Police Station.

During the investigation, Smith explained her deteriorating relationship with her manager, whom she had worked with since 2017. The intensifying disputes over shift patterns culminated in the violent incident.

In addition to her imprisonment, Manchester Crown Court imposed a whole-life restraining order preventing Smith from contacting her victim and handed her a five-year extended license period.

Detective Constable Stephen McNee praised the bravery of the victim and the swift action of the local residents. “This was a shockingly violent attack that not only caused physical injuries but also imposed deep psychological scars,” McNee noted. He commended the community’s quick response which crucially helped preserve crucial forensic evidence.

The police are satisfied with the court’s decision, emphasizing that removing such a dangerous individual from the community should aid the victim’s recovery process. This case highlights the ongoing commitment of Greater Manchester Police to address violent crimes and enforce justice robustly.