A DOCTOR who kept working despite being suspended by the General Medical Council avoided jail yesterday.

Teesside Crown Court had heard Dr Michael Donnelly, 53, was escorted from Holme House Prison, in Stockton, when the authorities learnt he had been suspended for 18 months for suspected "repeated dysfunctional and dishonest behaviour".

Stephen Ashurst, prosecuting, said Donnelly was earning £46,000 a year on a temporary contract from September, 1999 at the prison medical centre and £25-an-hour for a day's work at the Northern Slimming Clinic, in Stockton, from February 2000.

He failed to notify them that he was suspended for 18 months on August 31, 2000, despite attending the GMC hearing in London and being sent a notice of the findings afterwards, the court was told.

Mr Ashurst said: "He continued to work for both organisations and to retain his fees. His motive was very clear. If he had told the truth he knew his employment would have been in jeopardy and he would lose his income."

Donnelly of Demesne Court, Wolsingham, County Durham, pleaded not guilty to two charges of obtaining a pecuniary advantage and one of attempting to do so between August 2000 and June last year, but was found guilty by a jury.

At a sentencing hearing yesterday, defence barrister Tony Calloway said Donnelly was unlikely to be able to practise as a doctor again even though he had not posed a threat to anyone and had acted as a "good doctor".

His house, said Mr Calloway, was being sold as he could not meet the mortgage.

Judge George Moorhouse ordered Donnelly complete 240 hours community service and pay £1,900 costs.