Nurse thought she was going to die after being stabbed with scissors by patient, jury told
A nurse, Acheema Cherian, testified that she believed she would die after being repeatedly stabbed by patient Romon Haque at the Royal Oldham Hospital. Haque, who was under the Mental Health Act for drug and alcohol withdrawal, attacked her with scissors, causing severe injuries. While Haque admitted to wounding with intent, he denies attempted murder. The court heard harrowing details of the attack, including the nurse's belief she would lose her hand or die from blood loss. Colleagues and security staff intervened, with Haque allegedly citing revenge as a motive.
Nurse Acheema Cherian, 57, believed she was going to die when patient Romon Haque, 38, stabbed her repeatedly with scissors in the Acute Medical Unit of Royal Oldham Hospital shortly after 8 p.m. on January 11, a jury at Minshull Street Crown Court heard today.
Cherian, a 20-year hospital veteran, had introduced herself to Haque—detained under the Mental Health Act for drug and alcohol withdrawal—and offered Librium, which he refused. When he later demanded methadone, she explained it was not yet due. Moments later, as she stood near the ward door, she felt “something hitting and punching at the back of my head. Initially I thought something was falling from the ceiling, so I put my hand up to cover my head. Then I felt like someone was cutting my hand off.” Colleagues dragged Haque away; Cherian recalled “blood was dripping from my face and neck, and from my head. My uniform was getting soaked in blood.”
Cardiology registrar Dr Christien Fortune and security officer Lee Taylor answered screams described as “hysterical.” Taylor said the scene “looked like a bloodbath” and that Haque told him “his mum and sister had been killed … he needed to do it for revenge.” Haque admits wounding with intent and possessing a blade but denies attempted murder; his counsel, Mark Fireman, said he will not give evidence.
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