First picture of man, 76, charged after children ‘poisoned’ at summer camp

This is the pensioner suspected of poisoning children at a summer camp.

Jonathon Ruben, 76, has been charged with three counts of wilful ill treatment relating to three boys at a summer camp held at Stathern Lodge, Leicestershire after eight children fell ill there on Sunday.

He’s due to appear at Leicester magistrates court on Saturday morning.

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.’

A mum whose son was due to attend the camp told Metro it was run by Stathern Children’s Holiday Fund, which runs trips for children in Nottingham’s socially deprived areas.

The camps are billed as ‘safe havens, fostering friendships, building skills and sparking potential’.

Residential holidays for up to 70 children aged eight to 11 are hosted at Stathern Lodge.

The mum said: ‘They said we were able to send £5 for each child for the tuck shop. I had a phone call off the police but they couldn’t tell me anything.

‘The camp should be closed down, we can’t trust anyone with our kids.’

Police said the youngsters were taken to hospital as a precaution and have all since been discharged.

The ambulance service set up a triage centre at the village hall in nearby Plungar to assess all the youngsters attending the camp.

June Grant, 83, former bookings secretary at the hall, said: ‘There were so many sirens. You could hear the ambulances and police cars whizzing round the village.

‘It was pretty scary but such good news that the children are OK.’

Another 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.’

Det Insp Neil Holden said: ‘We understand the concern this incident will have caused to parents, guardians and the surrounding community.

‘Please be reassured that we have several dedicated resources deployed and are working with partner agencies including children’s services to ensure full safeguarding is provided to the children involved.

‘This is a complex and sensitive investigation and we will continue to provide updates to both parents and guardians and the public as and when we can.’

Leicestershire Police have referred themself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct over its initial handling of concerns passed to officers about the children’s wellbeing.

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