Trial Set for Man Accused of Poisoning Children at Leicestershire Camp

Jon Ruben, a 76-year-old man from Ruddington, Nottinghamshire, has been charged with child cruelty offences after sweets allegedly laced with sedatives caused eight boys aged 8 to 11 and one adult to fall ill at a summer camp in Stathern Lodge, Leicestershire. He faces three counts of wilfully assaulting, ill-treating, neglecting, abandoning, or exposing children to unnecessary suffering or injury between July 25 and 29. Ruben has been remanded in custody and appeared briefly at Leicester Crown Court, where he was not asked to enter pleas; his plea hearing is set for November 14, and a four-week trial is scheduled to begin on January 27, 2026. Leicestershire Police received the initial report on July 27 and subsequently arrested Ruben on suspicion of administering poison or a noxious substance. The police force has referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct to review its handling of the incident. Prosecutors have indicated that further charges may be added before the trial.