Man remanded in custody over 'sweets laced with sedatives' at Leicestershire summer camp
A 76 year old man has been charged with three counts of wilful ill treatment relating to three boys
Last updated 2nd Aug 2025
A 76-year-old man has been remanded in custody charged with child cruelty offences after children became unwell at a summer camp in Leicestershire.
Jon Ruben, of Wayte Court in Ruddington, Nottinghamshire, appeared in Leicester Magistrates' Court on Saturday morning 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 relating to three boys at the summer camp between July 25 and July 29.
The court was told the charges relate to sweets which were allegedly laced with sedatives.
Leicestershire Police received a report on Sunday that children at Stathern Lodge in Canal Lane, Stathern, had become ill.
Eight children, all boys aged between eight and 11, and one adult were taken to hospital as a precaution but were discharged, police said.
The defendant, who stood in the dock wearing a grey sweatshirt, spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth and address during the four-minute hearing.
Ruben was told by chair of the magistrates Elizabeth Needham that he will appear at Leicester Crown Court on August 29.