A SOLICITOR who was "guilty of being too nice" in employing a struck-off lawyer has been suspended for two months.

Frank Jeffrey Smith, 42, admitted his stupidity in using the services of Robin Heron at his firm for nearly two years.

Former partner Francis Bennett, 34, of Front Street, Dinnington, Northumberland, also admitted his part in taking on Mr Heron as an advisor at Smith and Bennett, of High Street, Wallsend, Tyne and Wear.

Mr Bennett, who left the business last year, was also suspended for two months. And both solicitors were given £5,000 fines at the Solicitors' Disciplinary Tribunal in London yesterday.

Mr Heron had been suspended from practising at his business in June 1997 and he was retained at Smith and Bennett despite being struck off on March 26, 1998.

Solicitor Anthony Miller, for the Law Society, said the matter was discovered during an inspection by a compliance officer.

Leonard Hedworth, QC, for Mr Smith, said: "Mr Smith appears to have been guilty of being too nice. He felt sympathy for Mr Heron's difficulties and did not know the consequences (of his actions)."