A 76-year-old man has been charged with child cruelty offences after a police investigation into a summer camp in Leicestershire where children became unwell.
Leicestershire Police received a report on Sunday that children at a summer camp at Stathern Lodge in Canal Lane, Stathern, had become unwell.
Emergency services attended the scene. 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, will be 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.
Leicestershire Police has referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct over its handling of the incident.
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”.
