Man, 76, charged after children fell ill at summer camp

A 76-year-old man has been charged with child cruelty offences after youngsters fell ill at a summer camp.

Jonathon Ruben is accused of three offences of "wilful ill treatment" relating to three boys.

Police received a report of children feeling unwell at a camp being held at Stathern Lodge, near Melton in Leicestershire, on Sunday.

Officers said paramedics attended the scene and eight boys - aged between eight and 11 - were taken to hospital as a precaution, as was an adult. They have since been discharged.

Ruben is due to appear at Leicester Magistrates' Court on Saturday.

A statement from Janine McKinney, chief crown prosecutor for CPS East Midlands, said: "The Crown Prosecution Service has authorised the prosecution of a 76-year-old man with child cruelty offences following a police investigation into a summer camp held at Stathern Lodge, Leicestershire.

"This decision has been made after reviewing a file of evidence from Leicestershire Police.

"Jonathon Ruben, will be charged with three offences of wilful ill-treatment of a child relating to three boys. He will appear at Leicester Magistrates' Court on Saturday, 1 August.

"This has been an extremely upsetting and shocking moment for the community, and especially for the children and parents most directly affected."

Ruben was originally arrested on Monday evening at a pub on suspicion of administering poison or a noxious thing with intent to injure, aggrieve or annoy.

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Leicestershire Police said the owners and operators of Stathern Lodge are separate from the people who use or hire the venue, and are not connected to the incident.

It added in a statement: "This is an active criminal investigation and we ask that people do not speculate further about the incident, particularly on social media platforms.

"Leicestershire Police continues to work closely with partners ensuring that full safeguarding is provided to all those affected."

The force has referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct over its handling of the incident.

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