A man appeared in court accused of spiking sweets with sedatives before children at a summer camp became sick.

A man appeared in court accused of spiking sweets with sedatives before children at a summer camp became sick.

A 76-year-old man has been charged with child cruelty after several children fell ill at a summer camp in Leicestershire. Jon Ruben from Ruddington, Nottinghamshire, appeared in Leicester Magistrates’ Court facing three counts of child neglect causing unnecessary suffering. The charges relate to three boys becoming sick while staying at Stathern Lodge between 25-29 July.

During the brief hearing, Ruben only confirmed his personal details and did not indicate how he would plead. The case involves allegations that sweets were tampered with sedatives. He was remanded in custody and will appear at Leicester Crown Court on 29 August.

Police were called to the camp after reports of children feeling unwell. Eight boys aged 8-11 and one adult were hospitalized as a precaution but later discharged. Ruben was arrested at a nearby pub on suspicion of poisoning.

Neighbors reported seeing distressed parents outside a village hall in Plungar, which served as a triage center. Meanwhile, the police watchdog is investigating Leicestershire Police’s response after officers gave conflicting accounts about when the incident occurred.

Authorities confirmed the lodge owners are not under investigation, stating they are separate from those who hired the property.