Man appears in court charged with attempted murder of nurse in hospital

A man accused of trying to kill a nurse at Royal Oldham Hospital has appeared in court.

Roman Haque, 37, is said to have stabbed Achamma Cherian, a nurse in her 50s, with a pair of scissors at around 11.30pm last Saturday in the hospital’s acute medical unit.

No pleas were given during the brief hearing and Greg Kemp, defending, said there would no application for bail.

Haque, of Oldham, is accused of attempted murder and having a bladed article – a pair of scissors – in a public place.

He appeared wearing a grey sweatshirt and was flanked by two prison officers.

Asked to identify himself, he gave his name as ‘Mohammed Roman Haque’.

District Judge Jane Hamilton told him: ‘The attempted murder is a matter that can only be dealt with by a crown court so the possession of a bladed article is going to go with it.

‘You will next appear at Minshull Street Crown Court on February 18, in five weeks time.

‘Between now and then you will be remanded in custody.’

Earlier Detective Superintendent Matt Walker said: ‘Our thoughts are with the nurse as she continues to receive treatment in hospital for her injuries, and our priority remains supporting her, her family, and her colleagues at this difficult time.

‘We continue to work closely with our NHS colleagues to support anyone who has been affected by this incident.’

Health Secretary Wes Streeting described nurses as ‘the backbone of our NHS’ after hearing of the woman’s injuries.

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