A nurse was left millimetres from death after a patient attacked her with scissors in a revenge assault at the Royal Oldham Hospital. Romon Haque, 57, stabbed Acheema Cherian in the neck, head and wrist after she refused to give him methadone, a heroin substitute, during his withdrawal from drugs and alcohol.
The attack occurred on January 11 last year, when Haque produced a pair of hospital scissors he had picked up and hidden. A security officer described the scene as a 'bloodbath'. One wound nicked Mrs Cherian's jugular vein, and prosecutors said a millimetre's difference could have been fatal.
Haque was found guilty of attempted murder at Minshull Street Crown Court. On February 11, he was sentenced to 22 years in prison, with an extended six-year licence period. He must serve two-thirds of the term before the Parole Board can consider release.
The court heard that Mrs Cherian, who has worked at the hospital for 20 years, has since returned to work but struggles with a permanent hand disability, loss of confidence, and flashbacks. She said colleagues saved her life.
Defence barrister Mark Fireman argued Haque was suffering from psychosis at the time and has no memory of the attack. Judge Maurice Greene noted that despite close monitoring, no one saw Haque take the scissors, and said the victim's life has been permanently altered.
