76-Year-Old Charged After Children’s Sweets Laced with Sedatives
UPDATE: A 76-year-old man has been charged with serious child cruelty offences after reports emerged that children at a summer camp became ill from sweets allegedly laced with sedatives. Jon Ruben, from Ruddington, Notts, appeared at Leicester Magistrates’ Court this morning, August 2, 2023, facing three counts of wilfully assaulting and neglecting young boys.
This shocking incident unfolded between July 25 and July 29 at Stathern Lodge near Grantham, where eight boys aged between eight and eleven fell ill along with one adult. All were taken to the hospital as a precaution but have since been discharged, according to Leicestershire Police.
During his brief court appearance, Ruben, dressed in a grey sweatshirt, confirmed his name and address but did not enter a plea. He has been remanded in custody and is scheduled to appear at Leicester Crown Court on August 29.
The allegations state that Ruben administered poison or a noxious substance with the intent to injure or annoy. He was arrested on Monday evening at a nearby pub following a police investigation initiated by reports of the children’s illness.
“The owners and operators of Stathern Lodge are independent from those who use or hire the lodge and are not connected to the incident,” police stated.
The lodge, a converted farmhouse with sports and catering facilities, is under investigation by the East Midlands special operations unit’s major incident team. Local parents expressed distress as they gathered outside the village hall in nearby Plungar, which was transformed into a triage centre for the affected children.
In a further complication, Leicestershire Police has referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct following inconsistencies about when officers responded to the incident, initially reported as occurring on Monday and later amended to Sunday.
The community is left reeling as authorities work to uncover more details about this alarming case. Parents are urged to stay vigilant as the investigation continues. What remains clear is the urgent need for safety and accountability in environments meant for children’s enjoyment.
Stay tuned for updates as this developing story unfolds.
