A DRUNK dentist caused a pile-up while nearly four times over the legal drink-drive limit, a hearing has heard.

Willis Kabambe, 57, of Queens Road, Benfleet, was found leaning against a burger van reeking of alcohol following the lunch time road smash involving two other motorists on the busy A13 near Corringham.

The General Dentist Council, in central London, heard how Kabambe caused the accident, in November 2006, when he stopped his Ford Fiesta suddenly on the London-bound carriageway, in a botched attempt to park in a layby.

Two vehicles travelling behind Kabambe, including a goods lorry, were then inolved in collisions.

Police officers arrested the dentist who was so drunk he could not blow properly into the breathaliser and admitted he had been boozing since 9.30 that morning.

Kabambe, who practiced in Hackney, East London, at the time was convicted of drink-driving at Mid-South and South-West Essex Magistrates’ Court.

He was given a community service order of 12 months and told to carry out 180 hours unpaid work. He was also disqualified from driving for 36 months.

His business has now folded and he is no longer working.

The hearing heard the dentist was also not insured to treat patients at the time of the crash.

Guy Micklewright, for the GDC, asked the panel to erase Kabambe from the dental register because of his convictions and for treating patients while uninsured.

Mr Micklewright said: “He was putting members of the public at severe risk.

“It was only through luck the accident was not more serious.”

Kabambe admits his convictions and that his conduct was unprofessional and inappropriate.

The committee is now considering whether Kabambe is still fit to practise.

The committee was told Kabambe has received help for his problem with binge drinking.

The hearing continues.