Footballer's wife settles claim

The surgeon can no longer work in the UK

The wife of former Scotland captain Colin Hendry has won a six-figure settlement after she was almost killed by botched cosmetic surgery in 2002.

Denise Hendry was in intensive care for nearly two months after the liposuction procedure at the private Broughton Park Hospital near Preston, Lancashire.

Mrs Hendry, 40, suffered nine punctures to her bowel and colon, causing blood poisoning and multiple organ failure.

Her lawyers Pannone said she had been awarded a settlement.

The exact figure has not been disclosed.

The £2,400 operation was carried out by cosmetic surgeon Dr Gustaf Aniansson on 10 April 2002.

The main reason why Denise felt compelled to seek legal advice...was that she did not want other women to suffer Stephen Jones, solicitor

But Mrs Hendry required treatment for septicaemia at the Royal Preston Hospital after falling ill just two days after the procedure.

The mother-of-four recovered from her injuries, which included a cardiac arrest that stopped her heart for four minutes, and pursued a damages claim against Dr Aniansson.

Dr Aniansson no longer works in the UK, after he successfully applied for voluntary erasure from the General Medical Council's register.

However he is free to operate abroad.

Hendry played for a number of clubs, including Blackburn Rovers

The surgeon was investigated by the GMC after being referred to them by concerned colleagues at Royal Preston Hospital.

In a statement, Mrs Hendry said she brought the claim to highlight the dangers of cosmetic surgery and urged anyone thinking of going under the knife to check the credentials of their surgeon.

Her solicitor Stephen Jones said Mrs Hendry did not wish to disclose the amount awarded but said it was "one of the highest ever in a cosmetic surgery case".

A number of other women also lodged complaints to the GMC alleging that Dr Aniansson had been negligent.

Mr Jones said: "The main reason why Denise felt compelled to seek legal advice and share her experience was that she did not want other women to suffer as she had.

"The fact that Mr Aniansson is now no longer allowed to practise medicine in the UK represents a triumph for those women to brave enough to have come forward."

Mr and Mrs Hendry live with their four young children in Lytham St Anne's, in Lancashire.