Two doctors have been charged with gross negligence manslaughter following the death of a primary school teacher at Tunbridge Wells Hospital.

Following a Kent Police investigation, the Crown Prosecution Service has also authorised a charge of corporate manslaughter against Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust.

Frances Cappuccini, 30, died just hours after giving birth to her second son, Giacomo, by emergency caesarean section in October 2012.

Dr Nadeem Azeez, 52, formerly of Chestnut Avenue, Tunbridge Wells, and Dr Errol Cornish, 67, of Holmbury Park, Bromley, have both been charged with gross negligence manslaughter. They are both anaesthetists.

An international warrant has been issued for the arrest of Dr Azeez, who is believed to have left the country and returned to Pakistan.

The first hearing in the case is due to take place at Sevenoaks Magistrates’ Court at 10am next Friday.

A Kent Police spokesman added: "It is now down to the Home Office to liaise with its contacts in Pakistan to extradite Dr Azeez."

An inquest into Mrs Cappuccini's death was due to be heard in February last year but was postponed while the possibility of criminal charges were investigated.

At an inquest review, lawyers for the family said Mrs Cappuccini and her husband Tom, 33, from West Malling, had decided on birth by planned caesarean.

But the couple were allegedly persuaded to discard the plan and allow labour to progress naturally overnight.

Mrs Cappuccini managed to spend time with her newborn son, who weighed 7lb 15oz and was born at 8.30am on October 9, 2012, and nurse him before she died at 4.20pm. He was given the middle name Frankie in memory of his mother.

Neil Sheldon, representing the family at the inquest review, said Dr Nadeem Azeez and Dr Errol Cornish had given “pitifully inadequate” witness statements.

He claimed the teacher had been left struggling to breathe for an hour-and-a-half and that no adequate steps were taken to provide her with sufficient oxygen.

Mrs Cappuccini suffered heavy bleeding following the caesarean and died of cardiac arrest.

Mr Sheldon said of his clients: “They have not entered into the process seeking a verdict or to get someone convicted. They just want to know what happened and why.”

The coroner then referred the case to Director of Public Prosecutions.

Affectionately known as "Mrs Coffee" Mrs Cappuccini had taught at Offham Primary School, in Church Road, for nine years, after training there.

She was described as "bubbly and enthusiastic" and a "brilliant teacher" by colleagues and friends.

A book of condolence was opened at nearby St Michael’s Church. She and her husband Tom had a son Luca, who was three at the time of her death.

The Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust said today it was unable to comment on the case.

A representative for Mr Cappuccini said there is currently no comment from the family. They have requested privacy at this time.

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