By Grâçia Ada Obi
A patient who repeatedly stabbed a nurse with a pair of scissors has received a 28 year sentence after being found guilty of attempted murder.
Romon Haque viciously stabbed Acheema Cherian, 57, in the head, neck and wrist at the Royal Oldham Hospital after being refused methadone. A court heard Mrs Cherian has suffered “probably every nurse’s deepest fear” and has permanent injuries.
Manchester’s Minshull Street Crown Court heard Haque had initially been admitted to the hospital under the Mental Health Act. He was found to be suffering from drink and drug withdrawal.
He had a brief interaction with Mrs Cherian, a ‘kind and patient’ nurse with 20 years experience, before he launched the attack late on January 11, last year. Mrs Cherian feared she was going to die when Haque produced a pair of scissors, which he had found in an unknown location in the hospital, and had hidden on his person.
The court heard she had started her night shift at 8pm and introduced herself to Haque and asked if he wanted his medication to help with drink withdrawal. He refused and demanded methadone, a substitute for heroin.
She told him that he was not due to have any more for a few hours, and moved on to help with other patients. Haque then got out of his bed, walked over to where the victim was standing, and pulled the scissors from his pocket.
He stabbed her three times, resulting in serious injuries to her face, neck, and hands. She was immediately given urgent medical treatment and taken to intensive care following the attack. Haque was pulled away from his victim by staff members who intervened.
Mrs Cherian has suffered permanent damage to one of her hands, as she was stabbed when she tried to defend herself, the court was told. She has returned to Royal Oldham, having worked there for two decades, but is in fear of her workplace and most other places as she deals with psychological trauma from the attack.
Haque was found to have been suffering from psychosis at the time of the attack. Following his initial court appearance he was deemed fit to stand trial. At his trial, in July last year, he was found guilty of attempted murder. He had previously pleaded guilty to possession of a bladed article
Following a sentencing hearing today Wednesday 11 2026, Haque, 38, received an extended sentence for public protection. He was sentenced to 22 years in prison, and handed an extra six years on licence.
Judge Maurice Greene described Haque’s attack as “determined and targeted”, adding that the blows to Ms Cherian were “forceful and repeated”. He had used drugs and alcohol for 19 years and had a history of “violence and domestic abuse callouts”, with the court hearing he had previously been jailed for two years for assault occasioning actual bodily harm and wounding.
Afterwards Det Sgt Jennifer O’Brien, from Greater Manchester Police, said: “This was a horrific, unprovoked attack on a woman who was simply doing her job for those in need in a hospital. I want to commend the bravery of those who intervened and who prevented the situation from potentially being much more serious. Emergency workers should never face violence from the very people they are trying to help and I am glad Haque is now behind bars following this vile incident.”
