KIDS' SWEETS WERE 'LACED WITH DRUGS'

Man, 76, in the dock accused over lads who fell ill at camp

- DAN WARBURTON and SASKIA ROWLANDS

BOYS aged between eight and 11 were given sweets laced with sedatives before falling ill at a summer camp, a court has heard.

Retired vet Jon Ruben, 76, appeared yesterday accused of child cruelty offences and was remanded in custody.

He was charged with three offences of wilful ill-treatment of a child, relating to three boys at the camp from July 25 until last Tuesday.

Prosecutor Marc Thompson told the court that the allegations related to “sweets laced with sedatives”.