Hospital Patient Receives 28-Year Sentence for Brutal Scissors Attack on Nurse
A violent hospital patient who stabbed a dedicated nurse three times with a pair of scissors has been sentenced to 28 years in prison. Romon Haque, aged 38, carried out the horrific assault on 57-year-old Acheema Cherian at the Royal Oldham Hospital in Greater Manchester on January 11 last year, inflicting serious injuries to her head, neck, and wrist.
Court Verdict and Sentencing Details
Haque was found guilty of attempted murder at Minshull Street Crown Court yesterday, following his earlier guilty plea to possession of a bladed article. The court heard that he had been admitted to the hospital three days prior to the attack due to severe drug and alcohol withdrawal symptoms. On the night of the incident, Haque demanded methadone, a heroin substitute, from Ms. Cherian and became aggressive when asked to wait, leading him to launch a sudden attack from behind.
Staff members intervened swiftly, pulling Haque away from his victim, and Ms. Cherian received urgent medical treatment before being transferred to intensive care. The attack left her suffering both physically and mentally, as detailed in a statement she provided during the trial. She described feeling as if something was hitting her head and cutting her hand off, with blood soaking her uniform.
Psychological Assessment and Legal Proceedings
Although Haque was diagnosed with psychosis at the time of the attack, he was deemed fit to stand trial after his initial court appearance. In sentencing, he received 22 years in prison, with an additional six years on licence, following court appearances in June and July last year. Detective Sergeant Jennifer O'Brien from GMP's Oldham district condemned the unprovoked violence, praising the bravery of those who intervened and emphasizing that emergency workers should never face such dangers while performing their duties.
The case highlights ongoing concerns about safety in healthcare settings, with authorities expressing relief that Haque is now behind bars. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the risks faced by medical professionals and the importance of robust security measures in hospitals.
