A man has been sentenced to five years in prison for fatally attacking a 50-year-old amputee during a violent altercation in a Tesco car park in Hertford. Stuart Smith, 43, of Ware, Hertfordshire, admitted to manslaughter in connection with the death of Wayne Ambridge, who died in hospital five days after the incident on 4 November 2023.
Mr. Ambridge, who had lost a leg, was caught in a family dispute that spiralled into violence. The tensions arose over a strained relationship between Reece Ambridge, Wayne’s son, and Abi Lynn, the daughter of Smith’s partner, Karen Lynn. The jury at St Albans Crown Court heard that Ms. Lynn’s family disapproved of the relationship, leading to growing animosity between the two families.
“Those tensions boiled over into unlawful violence,” said Christopher Tehrani KC, the prosecutor, during the trial in September.
Smith was also convicted of actual bodily harm against Reece Ambridge. Alongside Smith, his partner Karen Lynn, 42, faced trial but was cleared of murder. The jury could not reach a verdict on her manslaughter charge. Meanwhile, her son, Charlie Penn, 21, was cleared of both murder and manslaughter charges.
The altercation began on the evening of 4 November when Wayne Ambridge was driving his partner and son back from a firework display. The family passed by Charlie Penn’s house in Ware, and Mr. Penn decided to follow them in his car. Dashcam footage played in court showed Mr. Penn making a phone call to his mother as he trailed behind them.
In the recording, Mr. Penn could be heard saying, “I’m gonna run him over if he gets out,” to which Ms. Lynn responded, “That’ll damage your car.” She also offered to join him.
Wayne Ambridge was later attacked in a Tesco car park during the ensuing confrontation. He was taken to hospital but succumbed to his injuries five days later.
Wayne Ambridge’s son, Reece, described his father as a “hero” who tried to protect him during the attack.
The case highlighted the tragic consequences of family disputes escalating into violence, resulting in a life lost and multiple families shattered.
