A primary school headteacher, consumed by professional jealousy and a disturbing fixation, has been handed a 14-year prison sentence for a premeditated and brutal hammer attack on her deputy head.
Louise Bailey, 45, the former head of St Andrew's Primary School in Croydon, lay in wait for her colleague, Laura O'Connor, in a vicious ambush that left the victim with life-altering injuries. The court heard how Bailey's envy of Ms O'Connor's popularity and professional success festered into an obsession, culminating in the horrific assault.
A Calculated and Brutal Assault
Prosecutors detailed how Bailey's actions were cold and calculated. On the day of the attack, she sent her own children away, donned a disguise, and armed herself with a hammer and a knife before lying in wait outside Ms O'Connor's home. As the deputy head arrived, Bailey launched her vicious assault, striking her repeatedly on the head with the hammer.
The victim, described as a "rising star" in the teaching profession, suffered a fractured skull and devastating wounds that required extensive surgery. She continues to suffer from both the physical and psychological trauma of the event.
Motives of Envy and Obsession
The investigation revealed a dark undercurrent of jealousy. Bailey, who had been in a position of trust and responsibility, had become increasingly resentful of her deputy's success and the respect she commanded from both pupils and staff.
Detectives found a cache of disturbing evidence on Bailey's devices, including internet searches for "how to kill someone with a hammer" and "how to disappear." This digital trail painted a clear picture of premeditation, shattering any notion of a spontaneous act.
Justice Served
At Inner London Crown Court, Judge Benedict Kelleher sentenced Bailey to 14 years behind bars, emphasising the severity of her "cowardly and brutal" actions. He stated that the attack was driven by "professional jealousy" and a desire to harm a colleague she perceived as a rival.
This shocking case has sent ripples through the education community, serving as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of envy and the breach of trust within a profession dedicated to care and safety.
