What was supposed to be a joyful week for children at a summer camp has taken a disturbing turn, leaving a quiet Leicestershire village stunned and heartbroken.
A long-time charity figure now finds himself at the center of a criminal investigation, with charges that have shocked those who know him.
Summer Camp Illness Sparks Investigation
The incident began earlier this week when eight children and one adult suddenly fell ill at a children’s summer camp held at Stathern Lodge, Leicestershire.
Emergency services rushed the group to hospital as a safety measure. Thankfully, all individuals were later discharged without serious injury.
The camp was operated by the Stathern Children’s Holiday Fund (SCHF), a charity that offers subsidised holidays and school clubs for children from disadvantaged backgrounds in Nottingham.
Arrest of Longtime Charity Trustee
On Monday, police arrested 76-year-old Jonathan Ruben, a former veterinary surgeon and current trustee of the SCHF.
According to Companies House records, Ruben’s business was dissolved in August last year.
He is also known to be the husband of Susan Ruben, 62, who chairs the board of ten trustees managing the charity.
Leicestershire Police later confirmed that Ruben had been charged with three counts of wilful child cruelty—each count relating to a different young boy who attended the camp.
He is scheduled to appear at Leicester Magistrates’ Court on Saturday, August 2.
Arrested Near the Campgrounds
It has since emerged that Mr Ruben was apprehended in the car park of the Anchor Inn in Plungar, just three miles from the Stathern Lodge site.
Authorities have maintained a presence around his home in Ruddington, an affluent area on Nottingham’s outskirts, ever since the arrest.
Neighbours, shocked and concerned, described an unusually high level of police activity since Monday.
One resident said detectives had been entering and exiting the Ruben home and removing bags of evidence.
However, no forensic units in protective gear were spotted.
Neighbours Left Stunned by Allegations
The quiet neighbourhood is struggling to process the news.
One resident, who preferred to stay anonymous, said the couple are “lovely people” who have long supported the community.
“We always see Jonathan walking his dogs,” they added, recalling that the last sighting was the previous Thursday.
“This just doesn’t feel real. Everyone here is hoping it’s all been a terrible misunderstanding.”
The same neighbour admitted they only learned the full gravity of the situation after pressing detectives for more information.
“They eventually confirmed there had been no fatalities, but wouldn’t say much more. When the news broke on Thursday, we were devastated.”
CPS Confirms Charges and Urges Caution
Janine McKinney, Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS East Midlands, confirmed that the CPS had reviewed the evidence gathered by police and approved the charges.
She emphasized that this was a deeply distressing case—especially for the children and families involved.
McKinney also reminded the public that Ruben is entitled to a fair trial, cautioning against any commentary or speculation online that could interfere with legal proceedings.
Police Criticised Over Delayed Response
Leicestershire Police revealed that although concerns about the children’s wellbeing were raised on Sunday, officers didn’t visit the camp until the following day.
This delay led the force to refer itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).
The IOPC has now opened an independent investigation, aiming to determine whether there were lapses in police conduct, particularly around the initial response to the reported incident.
The watchdog is examining whether officers failed to act on their duties, which may have resulted in avoidable delays in what was later deemed a critical incident.
Stathern Lodge and Its Religious Roots
Stathern Lodge, the location of the camp, is managed by the Braithwaite Gospel Trust, a Christian charity dedicated to supporting educational and faith-based efforts for underprivileged youth.
Trustee Jonathan Jesson confirmed that the lodge was rented out to a Nottingham-based group and stressed that the property is operated on a self-catering, independent-use basis.
The trust was established by a Christian farmer in the 1970s, with the intention that the lodge would be used solely to benefit young people in need.
A Complex and Ongoing Investigation
Detective Inspector Neil Holden, who is leading the case for the East Midlands Special Operations Unit, described it as a “complex and sensitive investigation”.
The team is continuing to gather evidence, and officers are urging the public to avoid jumping to conclusions.
Earlier, police revealed that Ruben had initially been arrested on suspicion of administering poison or a harmful substance with intent to injure or upset others—an accusation that further deepened community concern.
What’s Next?
As Ruben prepares to appear before the court, both the criminal case and the police conduct investigation remain active.
The community, particularly those who’ve known the couple through years of charity work, are watching events unfold with a mix of disbelief and hope that the full truth—whatever it may be—comes to light soon.
For now, the charity work at the heart of this case is overshadowed by legal proceedings, and authorities are encouraging anyone with relevant information to come forward while maintaining utmost discretion to ensure justice is served.