Man who tried to kill nurse with scissors jailed

A hospital patient who repeatedly stabbed a nurse with scissors after he was asked to wait for medication has been jailed for attempted murder.

Romon Haque launched what prosecutors described as a "frenzied and savage" attack on 57-year-old Achamma Cherian at the Royal Oldham Hospital on 11 January 2025.

The 38-year-old had been admitted to the hospital three days earlier for a mental health assessment but his symptoms were found to stem from drug and alcohol withdrawal.

Haque, of Yasmin Gardens in Oldham, was jailed for 22 years with an extended six-year licence period after being found guilty by a jury at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court.

The court heard on the night of the attack Haque had asked Cherian for medication at around 22:35 GMT but he was asked to wait while she dealt with other patients.

Greater Manchester Police was later told Haque responded by taking the scissors from his pocket and launching an attack on the unsuspecting nurse from behind.

Claire Aitken, from the Crown Prosecution Service North West, said the nurse had suffered "physically and mentally", due to Haque's "vicious and unprovoked attack".

Haque must "now face the consequences of his frenzied, savage attack on a nurse who was caring for patients", she said.

Cherian was stabbed three times in her neck, face and hands before other staff restrained Haque.

Aitkin said Haque had made a "bid to end her life, simply because he didn't want to wait for his medication".

The nurse was placed into intensive care overnight and later had surgery to repair a wound to her wrist.

Prosecutors said Haque made no comment in his police interviews other than to say he "heard voices".

However, after an assessment by two psychiatrists he was deemed fit to stand trial.

Det Sgt Jennifer O'Brien said: "This was a horrific, unprovoked attack on a woman who was simply doing her job for those in need in a hospital."

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