AN investigation into two vets used by disqualified racehorse trainer Howard Johnson has been closed.

The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) revealed that Ben Sturgeon, a partner at Castle Veterinary Surgeons, would not face disciplinary action.

In 2011, the RCVS launched a preliminary investigation into Mr Sturgeon’s conduct in connection with the prescription of an anabolic steroid to three of the trainer's horses.

At the same time, the college received a complaint into retired vet David Peat, however this case has also been closed.

At the time a neurectomy was performed on the racehorse Striking Article, Mr Peat was a senior partner at the Barnard Castle practice and had looked after Johnson's horses for more than 20 years.

Neurectomy involves severing nerves in the lower leg to desensitise pain, placing the horse and rider at greater risk of injury.

The RCVS told The Northern Echo that complaints usually remained confidential unless they were referred to a full disciplinary committee hearing.

However, as information on the cases was already in the public domain, details could be disclosed.

Ian Holloway, RCVS communications manager, added: “I can confirm that the preliminary investigation committee investigated a complaint against Ben Sturgeon and a complaint against David Peat.

“The complaint against Mr Sturgeon was closed with advice in August 2012; the complaint against Mr Peat was closed at the same time but with no advice issued as, by then, Mr Peat had already been retired from practice for a number of years.”

Johnson, who trained a string of champion horses at White Lea Farm, near Crook, County Durham, quit racing after being banned by the British Horse Racing Authority (BHA) for allowing the outlawed denerving procedure and use of steroids on his horses.

Mr Sturgeon attended the BHA disciplinary hearing into Mr Johnson's actions, but refused to answer questions about the clinical justification for the three, Whisky Magic, Mintake Pass and Montoya's Son, testing positive for Laurabolin on the grounds of self-incrimination.

Mr Peat also attended the hearing. He said the aim of the denerving treatment was to alleviate pain caused by a severely ulcerated corn in the horse's near fore heel and "return it to soundness".

No one from Castle Veterinary Surgeons was available to comment. The Northern Echo was unable to contact Mr Peat.