{{The provincial government has fired a justice of the peace who convicted a man of a traffic offence without trial because the motorist refused to remove his headgear.

Rick Romain, 50, abused his power and acted with vindictiveness in a number of cases, Mr. Justice Russell Otter found during an inquiry into the Mississauga JP's conduct.

Otter recommended Romain be dismissed. Provincial cabinet accepted the recommendation Thursday and released the decision yesterday.

One incident occurred in March last year when Michael Ross, a Rastafarian, appeared in Romain's court on a charge of failing to stop at a red light.

Romain ordered Ross to remove his hat. Ross replied that his headgear was not a hat but a religious covering.

When Ross invoked the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, Romain responded: "Thank you. Finding of guilt, conviction, $155. Thank you."}}

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