A Manchester ambulance worker was unfairly dismissed after her wife attacked their boss with a hammer over a rota dispute, a tribunal ruled, awarding her £14k compensation
Ambulance Worker Unfairly Dismissed After Wife’s Attack
An ambulance worker, Paula Smith, is set to receive a £14,000 payout from the NHS after being unfairly dismissed. This follows an incident where her wife, Stacey Smith, attempted to murder their supervisor, Michala Morton, with a hammer.
Background of the Case
Paula and Stacey believed their supervisor was blocking them from organizing their work rota to have time off together. The situation escalated when Stacey attacked Michala Morton at her home in 2023.
Details of the Attack
Stacey, who worked in patient transport, texted a friend after the attack, saying, “I’ve smashed her head in. Oppsie!” She was sentenced to 20 years in prison for the assault, which left Michala with serious head injuries.
Paula’s Arrest and Dismissal
Paula was arrested but later cleared of any involvement in the attack. Despite this, she was dismissed by the NHS trust after 26 years of service. A tribunal found her dismissal was unfair.
Tribunal Findings
Employment Judge Paul Holmes stated that Paula’s only involvement was being married to Stacey. The tribunal noted that Paula and Stacey had raised grievances against Michala Morton regarding their work schedules.
Timeline of Events
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 9 December 2021 | Paula and Stacey raise a grievance against Michala Morton. |
| July 2022 | A patient known to Paula and Stacey dies; they miss the funeral due to work. |
| 2023 | Stacey attacks Michala Morton. |
| 12 November 2023 | Paula is arrested but later released on bail. |
| April 2024 | Criminal case against Paula is dropped; bail conditions lifted. |
| May 2024 | Paula is dismissed by North West Ambulance Service Trust. |
Conclusion
The tribunal concluded that Paula was unfairly dismissed due to her marriage to Stacey, who had attempted to murder another employee. The amount of compensation Paula will receive may be determined at a later date.
