Dr. Albert de Villiers is Chief Medical Health Officer for Interior Health. (Photo: CFJC Today Kamloops)

By Kevin Rothwell

Case transferred to Grande Prairie

Interior Health Chief released from custody on sex charges

Jun 9, 2021 | 1:13 PM

KELOWNA – The chief medical health officer for Interior Health has been released from custody, following his arrest in Kelowna Tuesday June 8.

RCMP say Dr. Albert de Villiers is charged with one count of sexual assault and one count of sexual interference following an investigation by the Grande Prairie RCMP detachment.

The offences are alleged to have taken place between 2018 and 2020.

“De villers was released on a release order by consent, in the amount of $1500 with no cash deposit or surety, with conditions,” Gordon S Comer Crown Counsel Criminal Appeals and Special Prosecutions stated.

Prior to coming to Kelowna and taking his current job with IH, De Villiers was the lead medical officer for the Alberta Health Services’ North Zone.

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Grande Prairie RCMP say the charges come after allegations of the sexual assaults against the young child were reported to them on May 28 of this year.

The Grande Prairie RCMP Special Investigative Unit initiated the investigation into the allegations, with assistance from the Grande Prairie Caribou Child and Youth Centre.

RCMP say de Villiers remains in custody awaiting a judicial hearing.

He served as Medical Officer for the AHS North Zone from 2004 to July of 2020 and was based in Grande Prairie, prior to becoming Chief Medical Health Officer for Interior Health in August of 2020.

De Villiers name has been removed from the Interior Health Website and replaced by Dr. Sue Pollock as (interim chief medical health officer.)

Interior Health has yet to comment on the situation.

His next court appearance is 9 am, June 30, 2021 in Grande Prairie.