The four-month-old grandson of football manager Steve Bruce died after being placed in an unsafe sleeping position by an unregulated maternity nurse, an inquest revealed. Madison Bruce Smith was found unresponsive at his family's home in Trafford in 2024 after being put to sleep on his front.

His parents, Bruce's daughter Amy and ex-Leeds United striker Matt Smith, had employed Eva Clements through Ruthie Maternity Services believing she was qualified. The inquest heard Clements had only a first aid certificate and a Level 2 diploma from a three-day course. Stockport Coroner's Court heard Madison's parents would 'never have dreamed' of putting their son to sleep on his front.

Senior coroner Alison Mutch issued a prevention of future deaths report calling for regulation of maternity services. She noted that while 'registered nurse' is strictly controlled, the term 'nurse' is not, creating an illusion of expertise. Police investigated but found the criminal threshold was not met due to the lack of regulation in such services.