A veteran NHS ambulance service worker, who was dismissed after her wife attempted to murder their boss with a hammer, has successfully won an unfair dismissal claim against her former employer.
26 Years of Service Ends in Dramatic Dismissal
Paula Smith had dedicated 26 years to the North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) Trust, working in the Patient Transport Service. She occasionally worked shifts alongside her wife, Stacey Smith, though the couple's requests for coordinated time off were a longstanding point of contention with their operations manager, Michala Morton.
The professional relationship soured over shift patterns, leading to a formal grievance in January 2022 that the tribunal heard was not properly followed up. The situation escalated in August 2023 when Paula received a written warning for a resentful social media post about the rota disputes.
A Violent Attack and Immediate Fallout
In November 2023, the conflict reached a horrifying climax. Stacey Smith lay in wait outside Michala Morton's home in Tameside and launched a brutal hammer attack as Ms Morton left for work. The assault left the manager with head injuries and a fractured wrist from trying to defend herself.
Stacey then sent a chilling text message to an acquaintance stating: 'I've done it. I've smashed her head in. Oppsie (sic) xx!' She later handed herself in to police.
Although Paula Smith maintained she had no prior knowledge of the attack, she was arrested on suspicion of harassment and threats to kill. NWAS suspended her on full pay. By March 2024, Greater Manchester Police confirmed she was no longer a suspect and her bail conditions were lifted, clearing the way for her return to work.
Dismissal as a 'Reputational Risk'
Despite being exonerated by police, NWAS bosses proceeded to dismiss Paula Smith in April 2024. She first learned of her termination while attending her wife's trial, where Ms Morton referred to her as an 'ex-employee'.
Patient Transport Service manager Ian Stringer fired her under the catch-all 'some other substantial reason', citing her as a reputational risk due to her marriage to the perpetrator. He stated the trust could not ignore her relationship with the woman convicted of attempting to murder their colleague.
Her appeal was rejected, partly based on a Facebook post she made after her dismissal where she referred to Ms Morton as 'Chucky'.
Tribunal Rules in Favour of Sacked Worker
Employment Judge Holmes ruled the dismissal was unfair. The judgment stated Paula Smith was 'in no way responsible' for her arrest and that there had never been any real risk of reputational damage to the trust, as the arrest had not received publicity.
The judge also criticised the trust for focusing heavily on her arrest and bail conditions, and for using her Facebook post to reject her appeal. The tribunal found the trust had acted prematurely, sacking her within three days despite promising a seven-day consideration period.
Stacey Smith was later convicted of attempted murder and sentenced to 20 years in prison. Paula Smith is now separated from her wife.
A remedy hearing will be held where Paula Smith could be awarded up to £26,541 in compensation. The North West Ambulance Service Trust has stated it does not intend to appeal the tribunal's ruling.
