'Dentist of horror' set to go on trial accused of mutilating mouths of more than 100 patients

Credit: Matthew Fearn / PA

A 'dentist of horror' who has been accused of mutilating the mouths of more than 100 patients is set to go on trial.

Jacobus van Nierop, 51, has been accused of leaving dozens of patients with broken jaws, septicemia and recurrent abscesses after ripping out their healthy teeth.

According to one former patient who went to van Nierop in 2012 to have braces fitted the dentist left her "gushing blood" for days.

Van Nierop reportedly fled the country to try to avoid prosecution but was extradited back to France to face charges Credit: Martin Rickett / PA

Another patient said her visits to van Nierop resulted in her losing teeth to abscesses after he performed "horrific operations" and then left her post-it notes saying to come back the next day.

Both Boulesteix and Martin are part of a victims’ group with 120 members that was set up in early 2013 to press charges against the dentist.

Van Nierop, who performed his operations in a remote French village in Chateau-Chinon, is set to go on trial on Tuesday charged with aggravated assault and fraud - after claims he tried to rip off patients and insurance companies.

If found guilty he faces up to 10 years in prison and a €150,000 ($165,000) fine.