A man in his 30s who attacked a nurse with a pair of scissors while she was at work has been found guilty of attempted murder.
Romon Haque, 38, of Yasmin Gardens, Royton, Oldham, repeatedly stabbed 57-year-old nurse Achamma Cherian on 11 January 2025 while he was a patient at Royal Oldham Hospital.
“Romon Haque’s savage attack of a nurse who was carrying out her duties, was truly appalling”
Claire Aitken
At the end of last week, a jury found Haque guilty of attempted murder after a trial at Minshull Street Crown Court, Manchester.
Haque, who denied committing the offence, had been admitted to the hospital a few days earlier, on 8 January, for treatment for drug and alcohol withdrawal.
The court heard how on the night of the attack, at around 10.35pm, Haque asked Ms Cherian for medication. However, at the time, the nurse was busy with another patient.
According to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), Haque “took exception” to this and proceeded to “lunge” at Ms Cherian with a pair of scissors.
The 38-year-old stabbed Ms Cherian from behind in the neck, and then, as she turned around, stabbed her in the forehead, wrist and the palm of her hand as she tried to defend herself.
Colleagues of Ms Cherian stepped in to halt the attack on the nurse, which only stopped when Haque was restrained.
Ms Cherian was admitted to the accident and emergency (A&E) department of the hospital in which she worked.
She sustained life-changing injuries, having spent time in intensive care after the brutal attack, and has since had to undergo surgery on her wrist due to the wounds.
Haque was arrested shortly after the attack and made his first appearance at Manchester Magistrates’ Court in January.
He did not enter a plea at the time; CPS has since confirmed that this was because the 38-year-old was undergoing psychiatric assessment to determine if he was fit to enter a plea plea.
Haque had told police during interrogation that he “hears voices”, according to CPS, but was later assessed as being fit to enter a plea.
He admitted to possessing a bladed article, but pleaded not guilty to attempted murder, having claimed he had no intention to kill Ms Cherian.
Speaking after the verdict was returned, senior prosecutor for CPS North West Claire Aitken said: “Romon Haque’s savage attack of a nurse who was carrying out her duties, was truly appalling.
“After seeing that the nurse was pre-occupied with the care for another patient, he lashed out, stabbing her repeatedly with scissors,” she said.
“The jury has agreed that his attack with a bladed weapon, so vicious and aggressive in its intensity, can only have been intended to end her life.
“Haque’s brutal actions have severely affected her, causing her to end up in intensive care and lasting physical and mental trauma,” Ms Aitken.
“I can only hope she can find some comfort knowing that Haque will now face the consequences of his actions that day,” she added.
Haque will be sentenced for his two offences on 15 September 2025.
