Dingwall Justice of the Peace Henry Dedecker has been removed from office after failing to attend his own trial for a speeding offence.

He has been removed from office, in the first such removal since Sheriff Stewart in 1992.

In a statement the Judicial Office said Dedecker "was convicted after trial of a speeding offence and of failing without reasonable excuse to attend court as an accused person.

"Sheriff Principal Sir Stephen Young invited the Lord President to establish a Tribunal under section 71 of the Criminal Proceedings etc (Reform) (Scotland) Act 2007 to consider Mr Dedecker's fitness to continue to hold office.

"The Tribunal, having investigated the fitness for office of Henry Dedecker JP and being satisfied that he is unfit by reason of misbehaviour, made an order removing Mr Dedecker from office as of 29 June 2010."