Man, 76, to appear in court over summer camp ‘poisoning'
Eight children, all boys aged between eight and 11, and an adult, who were taken to hospital as a precaution, have all since been discharged.
Jonathon Ruben, of Landmere Lane, Ruddington, Nottingham, has been charged with three counts of wilful ill treatment relating to three boys at the summer camp between July 25 and July 29, the Crown Prosecution Service said on Friday.
He was remanded into custody and will appear at Leicester Magistrates' Court on Saturday.
Ruben, 76, 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.
Sentencing Council guidelines state that ill treatment of a child can result in a maximum sentence of 14 years' imprisonment under the Children and Young Persons Act 1933.
Leicestershire Police has referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) over its handling of the incident.
The force originally said the incident happened on Monday, before amending it to Sunday, and it is still unclear whether officers only responded on Monday, and whether that is why the force has referred itself to the IOPC.
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.
'This has been an extremely upsetting and shocking moment for the community, and especially for the children and parents most directly affected.
'We would like to remind all concerned that there are now active criminal proceedings against Mr Ruben, and he has the right to a fair trial.
'There must be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online that may in any way prejudice these proceedings.'
Leicestershire Police said the 'owners and operators of Stathern Lodge are independent from those people who use or hire the lodge and are not connected to the incident'.
The IOPC said: 'Our assessment team has examined all available evidence and concluded the matter should be independently investigated by the IOPC.
'The investigation will look at whether there were any breaches of professional behaviour – namely a failure to carry out duties and responsibilities – that resulted in a delay in Leicestershire Police's response to what was later declared a critical incident.'
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Man in court after children fell ill at Stathern summer camp
A 76-year-old man has appeared in court facing child cruelty charges after children fell ill at a summer camp in Ruben was arrested as part of Leicestershire Police investigation after eight children and one adult at the camp at Stathern Lodge, Stathern, were taken to hospital on Monday. All have since been Ruben, of Wayte Court, off Landmere Lane in Ruddington, Nottinghamshire, has been charged with three counts of wilful ill treatment of a child, relating to three children, between July 25 and July defendant, wearing a grey tracksuit, gave no indication of pleas to the charges during a short hearing at Leicester Magistrates' Court on Saturday. He was remanded in custody and will appear at Leicester Crown Court on 29 Police said it first received a report that children at a summer camp on the site had become unwell on eight children - who were all boys aged between eight and 11 - and an adult were taken to hospital as a police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), said it was investigating the force's handling of the incident.
Daily Record
2 hours ago
- Daily Record
Pensioner, 76, charged over suspected 'poisoning' at summer camp
Jonathon Ruben, of Nottingham, has been charged with three counts of wilful ill treatment relating to three boys at the summer camp. A 76-year-old man will appear in court charged with child cruelty offences after children became unwell at a summer camp in Leicestershire. Leicestershire Police said it received a report on Sunday that children at a summer camp at Stathern Lodge in Canal Lane, Stathern, had become unwell. Eight children, all boys aged between eight and 11, and an adult, who were taken to hospital as a precaution, have all since been discharged. Jonathon Ruben, of Landmere Lane, Ruddington, Nottingham, has been charged with three counts of wilful ill treatment relating to three boys at the summer camp between July 25 and July 29, the Crown Prosecution Service said on Friday. He was remanded into custody and will appear at Leicester Magistrates' Court on Saturday. This has been an extremely upsetting and shocking moment for the community, and especially for the children and parents most directly affected. Ruben, 76, 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. Sentencing Council guidelines state that ill treatment of a child can result in a maximum sentence of 14 years' imprisonment under the Children and Young Persons Act 1933. Leicestershire Police has referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) over its handling of the incident. The force originally said the incident happened on Monday, before amending it to Sunday, and it is still unclear whether officers only responded on Monday, and whether that is why the force has referred itself to the IOPC. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. 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. 'This has been an extremely upsetting and shocking moment for the community, and especially for the children and parents most directly affected. 'We would like to remind all concerned that there are now active criminal proceedings against Mr Ruben, and he has the right to a fair trial. 'There must be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online that may in any way prejudice these proceedings.' Leicestershire Police said the 'owners and operators of Stathern Lodge are independent from those people who use or hire the lodge and are not connected to the incident'. The IOPC said: 'Our assessment team has examined all available evidence and concluded the matter should be independently investigated by the IOPC. 'The investigation will look at whether there were any breaches of professional behaviour – namely a failure to carry out duties and responsibilities – that resulted in a delay in Leicestershire Police's response to what was later declared a critical incident.'
Scottish Sun
2 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Pensioner, 76, in court today charged with child cruelty offences after eight kids & adult ‘poisoned' at summer camp
A PENSIONER charged with "child cruelty offences" at a summer camp is set to appear in court today. Eight children and one adult were rushed to hospital after falling ill at Stathern Lodge in Leicestershire. 8 Jonathon Ruben, 76, was charged with child cruelty offences 8 The eight children were all boys aged between eight and 11 Credit: PA 8 The pensioner will appear in court today Credit: SWNS Police arrested and charged Jonathon Ruben, 76, following the horror on Sunday. He was remanded into custody and will appear at Leicester Magistrates' Court today. The Crown Prosecution Service confirmed Jonathon Ruben, from Nottingham, was charged with three counts of wilful ill treatment relating to three boys at the summer camp between July 25 and July 29. Ill treatment of a child can carry a maximum sentence of 14 years' imprisonment under the Children and Young Persons Act 1933. The pensioner 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. 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. "This has been an extremely upsetting and shocking moment for the community, and especially for the children and parents most directly affected." It comes after total of eight children - who were all boys aged between eight and 11 - were taken to hospital as a precaution and later discharged. 76-year-old charged with 'child cruelty offences' after eight kids & adult fell sick at summer camp One adult was also taken to hospital as a precaution and was also discharged. "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. 8 Ill treatment of a child can carry a maximum sentence of 14 years' imprisonment Credit: SWNS 8 Police arrested the pensioner on Monday Credit: SWNS 8 The lodge is owned by Christian charity the Braithwaite Gospel Trust, which provides holiday clubs Credit: SWNS "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 comes as officers admitted it received a report on Sunday of children feeling unwell but did not visit the camp until Monday. The lodge is owned by Christian charity the Braithwaite Gospel Trust, which provides holiday clubs. An IOPC spokesperson said: "We received a conduct referral on Tuesday (July 29) from Leicestershire Police relating to their handling of concerns passed to them over the wellbeing of a group of children. "Our assessment team has examined all available evidence and concluded the matter should be independently investigated by the IOPC. "The investigation will look at whether there were any breaches of professional behaviour - namely a failure to carry out duties and responsibilities - that resulted in a delay in Leicestershire Police's response to what was later declared a critical incident." 8 Jonathon Ruben was charged with three counts of wilful ill treatment relating to three boys Credit: SWNS
