A BOTCHED operation ruined a Gwent army major's sex life and ended his career, a court was told yesterday.

Now Richard Morgan, 39, of Undy near Magor, has launched a High Court battle for more than £500,000 in compensation.

Mr Morgan suffered sciatic nerve damage during surgery by army doctors in July 1997. As a result he has no feeling in his right leg below the knee, the court heard. Since the operation, he has needed Viagra and may need an implant to continue a sex life, the court was told.

Mr Morgan was medically retired from the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers following his injury and is suing the Ministry of Defence for between £500,000 and £650,000.

Although the MoD admits liability in the case, it is disputing the amount Mr Morgan is asking for.

Mr Morgan's counsel, Julian Mathews, told Judge Andrew Collender, QC, how Mr Morgan underwent surgery after damaging vertebrae during a fitness test in Cyprus in April 1997.

Surgeons operated on the wrong part of his back causing nerve root damage, which rendered his leg useless below the knee and caused him sexual problems.

Mr Mathews told the judge of the "quite excellent career" Mr Morgan had enjoyed up to that point and the havoc the error had wrought. Mr Mathews said: "This had a significant and profound effect on his life. He was a professional soldier who joined the army from school and rose quickly through the ranks. He had a quite excellent career profile."

Reading from a superior officer's report, Mr Mathews said Mr Morgan was a "dedicated, conscientious and totally responsible officer. His energy and strength of character made him stand out from his contemporaries."

Mr Morgan, who played rugby at inter-services level for the army for six consecutive seasons, was "an outstanding soldier, one of the bright sparks of his generation", said Mr Mathews. The injury to his nerves has had "an absolutely devastating effect on his career and private life", he added. The case continues.