Retired sheriff and former TV host faces new sex charges

A former cable TV host and retired court house sheriff now faces 17 criminal charges most involving alleged sexual offences against a child under 16.

William Acorn, 83, of Charlottetown was originally charged last fall, as a result of an investigation by the major crime unit of Charlottetown police into ahistorical sexual assault complaint.Those charges included sexual assault, sexual touchingand invitation to sexual touching.

Four new charges, including sexual assault,werelaid Nov. 20 by Charlottetown police. They involve the same alleged victim as the previous charges.All of the allegedincidents involving that victim took place between 2009 and 2014.

At a brief court hearing Wednesday in Charlottetown provincial court,defence lawyer Brendan Hubley appeared on Acorn's behalf. It was the first court date for the case, since police filed the additional charges.

Hubley told Judge John Douglas that electronic equipment had been seized and is currently being analyzed by police. Crown prosecutor Nathan Beck told the judge the prosecutor's office does not know when the analysis will be complete.

Acorn is also charged with secretly making a video recording for a sexual purpose.That incident, alleged to have taken place in 2017 according to court documents, involved three victims.

In addition, he is charged with making a death threat against the child victim, and with improper storage of a firearm. That firearm was a Smith and Wesson revolver, according to court documents.

Acorn wasknown for hostingBill's Country Jamboree,a P.E.I. cable television showthat ran for 25 years. He worked as a deputy sheriff in the provincial courts until his retirement.

Acorn has not entered pleas on any of the charges, and the charges have not been proven in court. Hedid not attend court Wednesday.The case was adjourned to Jan. 30.

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