**Elderly Man Appears in Court Following Summer Camp Illness Scare in Leicestershire**
A 76-year-old man is set to appear before magistrates today after a troubling incident at a children’s summer camp in Leicestershire resulted in eight children and one adult requiring hospital treatment. The man, identified as Jonathon Ruben from Ruddington, Nottingham, faces charges of child cruelty following an investigation by local police.
Authorities were called to Stathern Lodge, a venue located along Canal Lane in the village of Stathern, after reports emerged that several young attendees had fallen ill over the recent holiday period. All eight affected children, aged between eight and eleven, along with the adult, have since made a full recovery and have been discharged from hospital care, according to Leicestershire Police.
The police began their investigation following a report received on Sunday concerning the children’s health at the camp, which had taken place between July 25 and July 29. Jonathon Ruben was subsequently arrested on Monday evening at a local pub, initially on suspicion of administering harmful substances with the intention to injure or distress.
Following a review of the evidence gathered by the police, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) East Midlands authorised charges against Ruben. He is now formally charged with three counts of wilful ill treatment of children, relating specifically to alleged offences concerning three boys during the camp. He has been remanded in custody and is scheduled to appear at Leicester Magistrates’ Court on Saturday.
In a statement addressing the community’s concerns, Janine McKinney, Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS East Midlands, emphasised the seriousness of the incident. “This has been an extremely upsetting and shocking time for everyone involved, particularly the children and their parents,” she said. McKinney urged the public and press to respect the legal process, cautioning against any commentary or sharing of information that might undermine the defendant’s right to a fair trial.
Under existing UK law, particularly the Children and Young Persons Act 1933, wilful ill treatment of a child could result in a near-maximum sentence of 14 years in prison, reflecting the gravity with which such offences are treated by the judiciary. If convicted, Ruben could potentially face a lengthy custodial sentence.
In a further development, Leicestershire Police has referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) for scrutiny of its actions surrounding the case. The force initially reported that the incident occurred on Monday before later correcting themselves to confirm it took place on Sunday. There remains some uncertainty regarding the timeline of the police response, prompting questions as to the reason for the internal referral.
The IOPC has accepted the referral and will now conduct an independent investigation to determine whether any delay or professional breaches occurred in how officers handled the response. An IOPC spokesperson confirmed, “The investigation will assess if there was a failure to fulfil duties and responsibilities that contributed to any delay in identifying the incident as critical.”
Meanwhile, representatives for Stathern Lodge have stressed that the venue’s owners and operators are entirely independent from the individuals or groups hiring the facilities, and have no connection to the incident currently under investigation.
This case has attracted substantial attention within the local community and beyond, highlighting ongoing concerns over child safety in holiday camps and prompting reviews of safeguarding practices. As legal proceedings continue, parents and local residents are left seeking clarity and assurances as authorities work to establish the full sequence of events.
As the matter remains subject to active criminal proceedings, all parties have been reminded of the importance of refraining from speculation and allowing the legal process to take its course. Further information is expected to emerge during the upcoming court sessions.