A hospital patient who stabbed a nurse three times with a pair of scissors has been jailed for 28 years.
Romon Haque, 38, stabbed 57-year-old Acheema Cherian in the head, neck and wrist at the Royal Oldham Hospital in Greater Manchester on January 11 last year.
He launched the attack after she asked him to wait for medication.
The 38-year-old was found guilty of attempted murder at Minshull Street Crown Court yesterday after previously pleading guilty to possession of a bladed article.
Haque, of Yasmin Gardens in Oldham had been admitted to the hospital three days before because of drug and alcohol withdrawal symptoms.
On the night of the attack he asked Ms Cherian for methadone – a substitute for heroin – and was asked to wait.
In response, he attacked her from behind – causing serious injuries.
He was pulled away from his victim by staff members and she was given urgent medical treatment and taken into intensive care.
Romon Haque, 38, was found guilty of attempted murder at Minshull Street Crown Court
Acheema Cherian was stabbed in the head, neck and wrist at the Royal Oldham Hospital in Greater Manchester on January 11 last year
The attack caused her to suffer ‘physically and mentally’, the court heard.
Manchester Evening News reported Ms Cherian, speaking of the attack, told the trial: ‘I felt like something was 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.
‘I could just feel blood was dripping from my face and neck, and from my head. My uniform was getting soaked in blood.’
Haque was found to be suffering from psychosis at the time but was deemed fit to stand trial after his initial court appearance.
He was sentenced to 22 years in prison, and handed an extra six years on licence after appearing at court in June and July last year.
Detective Sergeant Jennifer O’Brien, from GMP’s Oldham district, 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.’