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.
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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.
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.
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“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.”
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