AN ALCOHOLIC solicitor who racked up nine criminal convictions in a two-and-a-half year period has escaped being struck off from the profession.

Colin MacLeod, 55, of Cumbernauld pled guilty to professional misconduct in front of the Scottish Solicitors ­Disciplinary Tribunal for engaging in a course of criminal conduct between June 2009 and January 2012.

He has ­convictions for drink-­driving, breach of the peace and assault.

But despite his criminal record, legal watchdogs have refused to stop him from practising as a brief again.

Instead, they have ordered him to spend the next five years working in a limited capacity in any solicitors' firm that may employ him, supervised by senior lawyers.

The tribunal heard that Mr MacLeod committed a number of crimes while battling alcohol addiction.