A leading former Ipswich facial surgeon is alleged to have ‘repeatedly punched a patient in the face to try and correct a fracture’.

Professor Ninian Peckitt, 63, who denies the charges, allegedly punched a man during treatment at Ipswich Hospital in February 2012.

The ‘pioneering’ surgeon has been taken to a tribunal and faces the possibility of being struck off.

A Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service hearing in Manchester was told a man referred to as Patient A had suffered ‘extensive injuries’ to his face.

He was admitted to Ipswich Hospital where Professor Peckitt had been working as an honorary locum consultant in oral and maxillo-facial surgery since the previous month.

It was also alleged he treated Patient A without seeking advice from colleagues and did not consider sending him for open surgery. He left his post at the hospital weeks later.

He was also alleged to have failed to check the medical records of a second patient, Patient B, which led to him attempting an unnecessary procedure on her, and to have treated another, Patient C, for a complex facial deformity without seeking the advice of another surgeon.

Professor Peckitt is reported to have sent emails in which he “emphatically denies” the allegations, and claims he has been “victimised”.

He is also alleged to have left an outpatient clinic prior to the end of his shift without making arrangements with colleagues after experiencing IT problems.

A spokeswoman for Ipswich Hospital said: “We took immediate action and asked the GMC (General Medical Council) to investigate as soon as we learnt of concerns about the care given by the locum consultant.”

The hearing continues and is expected to last until April 20.