Chatham-Kent police cruiser. (Photo courtesy of Chatham-Kent Police Service.)Chatham-Kent police cruiser. (Photo courtesy of Chatham-Kent Police Service.)
Sarnia

Retired Violin Teacher Facing 45 Additional Charges

A retired violin teacher, who had ties to Sarnia-Lambton during his career, is now facing more than 60 sex-related charges in an investigation involving more than 20 girls.

Chatham-Kent police initially charged 70-year-old Claude Eric Trachy last October with 17 counts.

The Chatham man was charged with ten counts of sexual assault, five counts of sexual interference and two counts of sexual exploitation dating back to the early 1980s.

Police say he was charged Friday with 45 additional sex-related offences involving 19 new victims who have come forward.

The allegations include sexual assault, sexual interference, sexual exploitation and indecent assault on a female.

Police say the accused was self-employed as a strings teacher for more than 50 years.

Sarnia police said in January that the accused had ties to Sarnia-Lambton during his teaching of the violin and viola.

Trachy has been released from custody with conditions and is to appear in Chatham court March 10, 2016.

- With files from Jake Kislinsky and the Canadian Press.

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