DO suspended

A dispensing optician who failed to declare two drink driving convictions to the General Optical Council has been handed an 18-month suspension by a fitness to practise committee.

Derrick Tempest was convicted of the offences in 2010 and 2013. In both instances, the committee said he was approximately three times over the drink driving limit. In the second instance, the excess alcohol reading was said to have been taken before midday.

The committee said the GOC was made aware of the registrant’s most recent conviction by the Metropolitan Police through the Notifiable Occupations Scheme.

‘Two convictions within the space of three years for driving with excess alcohol give rise to serious concern whether the registrant should be providing professional services to the public,’ the committee stated.