An NHS doctor accused of killing a primary school teacher after an emergency caesarean will stand trial in January.

Dr Errol Cornish, 67, allegedly mishandled the procedure at the Tunbridge Wells Hospital when mother of two Frances Cappuccini gave birth to son Giacomo in October 2012.

Mrs Cappuccini, affectionately known as 'Mrs Coffee' by her pupils at Offham Primary School where she taught, suffered a cardiac arrest within hours of the birth and suffered major blood loss.

Cornish, an anaesthetist, is facing a gross negligence manslaughter charge while the Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust is accused of corporate manslaughter.

Both Cornish and representatives for the trust appeared at the Old Bailey today for a short hearing.

A second anaesthetist, Dr Nadeem Azeez, is also accused alongside Cornish of gross negligence manslaughter.

However Azeez has left the UK for Pakistan. While an international arrest warrant has been issued, he has not yet been traced.

Cornish spoke only to confirm his name during today's hearing.

Mr Justice Singh set a trial date of January 11 and ruled it will take place at a court in London, although the exact venue has not yet been set.

Mrs Cappuccini, from West Malling, Kent, taught Year One at the school for nine years before her death.

She left behind her husband Tom and their two sons Giacomo, now two, and Luca, who is five.

The judge released Cornish on unconditional bail until the start of the four-week trial, which will be heard in front of a High Court judge.

There will be another preliminary hearing on October 16.

South African-born Cornish, who has worked in medicine for more than 30 years, has struggled to find work due to the publicity surrounding the case, a court heard previously.

At a previous hearing at Sevenoaks Magistrates Court, the court had heard Dr Nadeem Azeez, formerly of Chestnut Avenue, Tunbridge Wells is 'seriously unwell' in Pakistan.