Petrolia nursing home owner, Michael Fiddick, is also facing firearm charges.

As The Independent reported Monday, Fiddick appeared in Sarnia court facing six criminal charges including assault and sexual assault. The owner and administrator of Fiddick’s Nursing and Retirement Home, was charged by Lambton OPP May 22 with three charges of assault, sexual assault, overcoming resistance by attempting to choke or strangle, and mischief.

The most serious of the charges – sexual assault – can carry a prison term of up to 10 years.

Sources tell The Independent the charges stem from alleged incidents over a decade ago.

A publication ban has been placed on any information about which might identify the victim.

Also in court Monday, Fiddick’s lawyers answered to three additional charges of transferring a prohibited or restricted weapon without following the Firearms Act. Those charges can carry a sentence of up to five years.

He will appear in court on all nine charges again Sept. 19.

Fiddick, according to the nursing home’s newsletter posted online, is not at work due to recent surgery and a “lengthy” recovery period. Instead he is working remotely and placed the head of human resources in charge at the home.