A PENSIONER has appeared in court over a summer camp “poisoning” after he allegedly gave children sedative-laced sweets.
Jon Ruben, 76, is accused of child cruelty offences relating to three boys at Stathern Lodge in Leicestershire.
Jon Ruben is accused of child cruelty offences[/caption]
It comes after children fell ill at a summer camp[/caption]
Eight children – all boys aged between eight and 11 – and one adult were taken to hospital following the horror.
Ruben appeared at Leicester Crown Court today charged with three counts of wilfully assaulting, ill-treating, neglecting, abandoning or exposing children in a manner likely to cause them unnecessary suffering or injury to health between July 25 and 29.
A previous hearing was told the charges relate to sweets which were allegedly laced with sedatives.
Ruben, who was arrested in a pub car park, is the secretary of the charity that ran the three-day holiday camp.
He was not required to enter a plea today but a provisional trial date was set for January 27 next year.
Ruben was remanded into custody ahead of a hearing in November 14.
Officers and the East Midlands Ambulance Service – including an air ambulance – swarmed the Christian camp
“Distressed” parents were reportedly unable to see their kids “for hours” as they were taken to a makeshift triage centre nearby.
One witness reported seeing parents “screaming” at officers as they demanded to see their kids.
A resident who lives near the hall said: “It was pretty chaotic, with emergency workers running around everywhere.
“I saw a few children in tears as they walked into the hall. It’s like every parent’s worst nightmare.”
Leicestershire Police has now referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), who have launched a probe.
It came as officers admitted it received a report on July 27 of children feeling unwell but did not visit the camp until the following day.
The lodge is owned by Christian charity the Braithwaite Gospel Trust, which provides holiday clubs.
Police have referred themselves to the watchdog[/caption]