A NEWPORT solicitor who lied to a personal injury claimant for years was yesterday fined £5,000 by a disciplinary tribunal.

Solicitor David Ian George, 35, who works for Roger, James, Clements and Partners, of Bridge Street, Newport, told the client - identified as Mrs B - that her £6,000 claim was about to be rubber- stamped by a judge.

But when she telephoned Newport county court staff had never heard of the case. Mr George attended the central London hearing of the Solicitors' Disciplinary Tribunal, and admitted misleading a client and behaving in a manner unbefitting the profession and compromising his own independence and integrity.

Mrs B instructed the firm in 1994 and proceedings were issued in 1997, but court action was necessary because even though liability was admitted by the other side, no cash was paid.

He discovered the firm Mrs B was suing had folded and the claim was void, the tribunal heard.

Then, in 1997, Mr George missed the four-month window to issue proceedings. But he told his client a court date was set for March 23, 2000, then two days before, rang her to say a judge was making a decision and to expect the full compensation within 28 days.

No money appeared and Mrs B could not get in touch with Mr George. She lodged an official complaint with the office for the Supervision of Solicitors, saying: "I then realised Mr George had been deceiving me for four years and everything he had been telling me was lies."

Mr Stuart Turner, representing the Law Society, said: "From 1994 to 2000, Mr George had been telling the client the case was going to court and there was a date. "It is only when the client took it on herself, when she became suspicious because of delay and rang Newport county court, that she was told nothing had been issued since 1997."

The senior partner in Mr George's firm later agreed to pay Mrs B her £6,000 compensation, plus £2,000 for poor service.

Mr George told the tribunal: "I simply panicked when the limitation period passed. I took totally the wrong path by initially telling her an untruth and continuing to tell untruths." The solicitor has specialised as a criminal advocate for the last three years and remains with the firm.

"These proceedings have had a totally salutary effect on me. I have just gone through my third Christmas with this hanging over me."

Mr George, who joined the firm in 1989 as an articled clerk, added: "I'm ashamed of my actions. I apologise through the tribunal to her for my conduct.

"I would ask for the chance to prove myself to everyone. This was out of character. I am totally sorry for the way I have treated her."

Tribunal chairman Mr John Clitheroe announced: "Given the circumstances of this case it has revealed a lamentable course of conduct, and treating a client this way brings both Mr George and the profession into disrepute.

"This was an isolated incident of panic and an attempt to cover it. We have no doubt he has learned a severe lesson and will not appear before the tribunal again." Mr George was also ordered to pay £1,959 costs.