Pensioner charged after Christian summer camp poisoning

Daily Record

2 days ago

Jon Ruben, 76, has been charged with poisoning children at a Christian summer camp after eight youngsters and an adult were taken to hospital after falling unwell
A man has been charged with the alleged poisoning of children at a Christian summer camp.
‌
Jon Ruben, 76, was arrested on Monday after eight children and an adult were hospitalised after falling ill. The pensioner, from Nottingham, is accused of administering poison or a noxious substance to children staying at Stathern Lodge, a residential activity centre used by church groups near Melton Mowbray, Leics.
‌
He will face three counts of wilful ill treatment relating to three boys at a summer camp held at Stathern Lodge, according to the Crown Prosecution Service, reports the Mirror.
‌
The East Midlands Ambulance Service established a triage centre in nearby Plungar following the incident on Monday, before transporting the affected youngsters and one adult to hospital. They have all since been discharged.
Local residents described witnessing panicked parents arriving. June Grant, 83, a former bookings secretary at the hall, said: "There were so many sirens. You could hear the ambulances and police cars whizzing around the village. It was scary but such good news that the children are OK."
‌
A 28 year old woman added: "We saw all the ambulances and police cars outside. All the kids were very guarded. They would not let anybody near it. Everybody was pretty stressed out."
Local Tory MP Ed Argar, commented yesterday: "The reports are clearly shocking and deeply concerning. Our thoughts are with the young people affected."
Leicestershire Police Assistant Chief Constable James Avery declined to disclose the ages of the children or their origins yesterday. Mr Avery added: "The investigation is being led by the East Midlands Special Operations Unit's Major Incident Team."
Senior investigating officer Det Insp Neil Holden further stated: "We understand the concern this incident will have caused parents, guardians and the surrounding community. We are in contact with the parents and guardians of all children concerned."