A SURGEON at Salisbury District Hospital has received a suspended prison sentence after being caught driving while more than three-and-a-half times the limit.

Gurd Shergill, 47, of Dodgson Close in Woodgreen, was stopped while driving his Land Rover in Hale Road in the village on July 26.

The level of alcohol in his breath was 126mcg per 100ml - the legal limit is 35mcg.

Magistrates in Southampton banned Shergill, who is also known as Gurdeep Singh Shergill and Gurdip Shergill, from driving for two-and-a-half years, and handed him an eight-week prison sentence suspended for a year.

The bench also made him subject to a year-long supervision order.

He could be back on the road 225 days sooner if he undertakes a £250 drink-drivers' course.

Magistrates also ordered Shergill to pay an £80 victim surcharge and £80 costs.

A spokesman for the hospital, where he is a consultant trauma and orthopaedic surgeon, said: "While this is a personal matter and Mr Shergill was not on duty at the time, the trust has already taken steps to assure itself that this issue did not and does not impact on the care he provides to patients at Salisbury District Hospital."

Shergill also practices privately at New Hall Hospital in Salisbury. He has been an orthopaedic consultant for 12 years and has more than 20 years of experience in trauma and orthopaedics.

Shergill, who specialises in sports injuries, specifically surgery on knees and shoulders, has previously been the lead clinician of the orthopaedic department at Salisbury District Hospital, a role he carried out for three years.

He is a member of many other committees in the hospital including the medical workforce committee, the local awards committee, hospital transfusion committee, and the hospital at night managerial board. He is also the orthopaedic surgeon for Salisbury Rugby Football Club.