AN alcoholic vet has finally been struck off, after failing to clean up his act.

William Sim, a vet of 32 years of Earswick, near York, has been removed from the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS)'s register of members after an inquiry heard how he had not complied with a treatment programme for alcohol abuse.

RCVS disciplinary committee chairman Brian Jennings said: "We have considered carefully the options available and must act in the best interests of the public, their animals, and the veterinary profession.

"These interests are best served by Mr Sim having a period of time when he can come to terms with his condition and recognise that his future is in his own hands. It is our decision that Mr Sim's name be removed from the register."

A previous RCVS hearing heard how Sim had turned to drink in 2003 after the death of his wife.

The following year, he was found to be nearly four times over the drink-drive limit while driving his Land Rover in Derby, and was jailed for three months in June 2005.

In July last year, he admitted at an RCVS hearing that his conviction meant he was unfit to practise veterinary surgery.

He also admitted serious professional misconduct having been under the influence of alcohol while at work on eight occasions between October 2003 and April 2005.

The hearing was told he slurred his words, swayed on his feet, reeked of booze and was rude to customers.

But judgement on Mr Sim, who ran a practice in Strensall Road that was later taken over by TV vet Emma Milne, was postponed until January this year, provided that he took part in a treatment programme and agreed not to practise in the intervening time.

But at that hearing, he was convicted of a new charge of disgraceful conduct, which concerned the truthfulness of information he provided to the RCVS.

Again, judgement was postponed for a further two years on condition that he did not drink, continued therapy under medical supervision, provided blood samples as requested, and that Dr Heston, his medical supervisor, gave written reports on his progress.

He was also only to practise as a vet in cases where he had previously made arrangements with a client's usual practitioner to provide assistance or aftercare.

The inquiry on Mr Sim was resumed last week when the disciplinary committee heard he had been back on the booze at least three times since January - including as recently as this autumn.