A man has been remanded into custody after appearing in court charged with child cruelty offences after youngsters fell ill at a summer camp.
Jon Ruben, 76, appeared at Leicester Magistrates’ Court on Saturday following the alleged incident at a summer camp in Stathern, Leicestershire.
He has been charged with three counts of wilfully assaulting, ill-treating, neglecting, abandoning or exposing children in a manner likely to cause them unnecessary suffering or injury to health relating to three boys at the summer camp between 25-29 July.
The court was told the charges relate to sweets which were allegedly laced with sedatives.
Ruben spoke only to confirm his name, age and address.
Police received a report of children feeling unwell at a camp being held at Stathern Lodge, near Melton in Leicestershire, last Sunday.
Officers said paramedics attended the scene and eight boys – aged between eight and 11 – were taken to hospital as a precaution, as was an adult. They have since been discharged.
Ruben will next appear at Leicester Crown Court on 29 August.
