A drug-addicted doctor who injected his wife with heroin has been suspended for nine months.

Dr Ashley Sibery, 40, injected the Class A drug into his wife Sital Cheema, 44, so she could "experience the feeling" at their home in London Street, Edinburgh.

Sibery, who pleaded guilty to culpable and reckless conduct, was also convicted of drink-­driving after consuming half a litre of vodka before going to pick up heroin.

In December 2012 he was ordered to carry out 300 hours of community service and told his case would have to be reviewed.

This week he was found to be in "serious breach of proper standards of conduct and behaviour" of the profession at a three-day fitness-to-practice hearing.

The private inquiry at the ­Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service, Manchester, ruled that despite his behaviour his medical registration should only be revoked for nine months.

The panel recommended Sibery update his medical knowledge during his free time to allow him to return as a GP.

Karen Heenan, chairwoman of the panel, said: "Given the serious nature of findings it is necessary, for the maintenance of public confidence in the profession and the upholding of proper standards of conduct and behaviour, to make an order suspending your registration immediately.

"Throughout its deliberations the panel has borne in mind its responsibility to protect the public interest, which includes, protection of patients. The panel notes the background to these convictions and your admitted health conditions at the time.

"But public confidence in the profession has been severely affected by your offences, and are serious enough to amount to impairment of fitness to practise.

"Therefore fitness to practise is impaired by reason of your convictions and you will be suspended for nine months.

"This will give you sufficient time update your medical knowledge and skills. It also marks the gravity of your convictions."

Sibery will have until February 26 to appeal, and will have to appear before the panel again in nine months to prove he has been studying. He has been advised to attend university lectures.