Vet, 76, charged with child cruelty offences over camp 'poisoning'

A VET has been charged over the alleged poisoning of children at a summer camp.

- By Tony Whitfield

Jonathon Ruben, 76, was charged with three counts of wilful ill treatment of a child, relating to three boys at the camp at Stathern Lodge, near Melton in Leicestershire.

He was arrested at a nearby pub on Monday evening on suspicion of administering poison after an adult and eight children aged eight to 11 fell unwell on Sunday.

He was identified locally as a qualified veterinary surgeon and the former owner of a small animal practice.

He also served as a children and youth worker at his local church and previously stood as a Conservative candidate in a local election.

The police investigation was launched after those who fell ill were taken to hospital.

Unwell