Rodney Ledward had been struck off for bungling operations

Fifty nine women say they were assaulted in Kent hospitals by Rodney Ledward, who died in 2000.

The judge expressed "enormous concern" over the conduct of solicitor Jane Loveday, who worked from Cornwall.

She sent the matter to the Office for the Supervision of Solicitors at the Law Society.

Mrs Justice Hallett heard claims that one statement was redrafted and another woman's name remained on the claimants' list - in both cases against the clients' wishes.

Cases dismissed

The women, who cannot be identified, claimed they were assaulted by the consultant gynaecologist over a 15-year period.

The allegations only came to light in July 2001, nine months after the 62-year-old's death.

He had already been struck off by the General Medical Council after being found guilty of bungling 13 operations.

Eight cases against Mr Ledward's employers - East Kent Hospitals NHS Trust, Kent and Medway Health Authority and South East London Health Authority - were due to be heard last month, but were halted when legal aid was withdrawn.

All but three of the cases have now been dismissed.

'Statement redrafted'

Counsel Philip Moon, for the health authorities, said one client claimed her statement was redrafted to include an allegation of rape, an alteration which the client deleted and refused to sign.

He said another woman made it plain she did not want to go ahead, but her name remained on the list of claimants, putting her at risk of paying costs.

Mr Moon said Ms Loveday, who operated until recently from Launceston, Cornwall, had been off sick since 19 December.

He said her firm had gone out of business and she was now living in Deal, Kent, where she also had an office.