A PSYCHIATRIST who was ferried around for five months in taxis at the taxpayers’ expense, while serving a drink-driving ban, has been further suspended by health bosses.

Dr Mdimu Ngoma, 48, who was employed by Lancashire Care NHS Trust as an outreach medic in Pendle, claimed he had learned his lesson after the 2007 incident.

Ngoma was convicted of failing to provide a specimen of breath by Burnley magistrates after a staff member at the town's Kitchen's garage in Trafalgar Street, suspected he had been drink-driving.

But the psychiatrist, who was banned from driving for 12 months, further aggravated his case by claiming expenses for taxi journeys, while he was off the road.

Only when his bosses confronted him with a newspaper clipping, detailing his conviction, did he admit why he could not drive.

The General Medical Council's fitness to practice panel had withdrawn Ngoma's licence for three months, as a result of his dishonesty.

However the doctor applied to have sanctions lifted at the hearing to decide if he was fit to practice again.

Ngoma told a review hearing that he appreciated that he had made a mistake and had apologised on more than one occasion.

The doctor said he had also made himself aware of GMC advice on good practice and had promised nothing similar would arise in future.

But the review heard that Ngoma still had difficulties in accepting what he had done had been dishonest.

Ed Morgan, representing the GMC, said Ngoma's actions had been “misleading and dishonest” and imposed the further suspension.

He also told the panel that Ngoma had demonstrated little insight into his misdemeanours.

Suspending Ngoma, from Ashton-under-Lyne, for another three months, panel chairman Dr Robin Knill-Jones said the panel felt the doctor had intentionally concealed his conviction and driving ban.

He said: “(This will) enable you to demonstrate to your regulatory body that you have greater insight into your conduct and to provide clear evidence of the steps you have taken to improve your understanding of the ethical principles of medical practice.”