A 76-year-old man has gone to court accused of giving sweets containing sedatives to children at a summer camp in Leicestershire.

Jon Ruben, who is the secretary of the charity running Stathern Lodge, faces three charges of intentionally harming or neglecting children in ways that could cause unnecessary pain or health problems. The alleged incident happened between July 25 and 29.

Eight boys, aged 8 to 11, and one adult needed hospital care after becoming unwell at the camp.

Ruben was arrested in a pub car park and later appeared at Leicester Crown Court. He did not enter a plea. A trial is provisionally set for January 27 next year, and he will stay in custody until a hearing on November 14.

A witness described the scene as very chaotic, saying emergency workers were everywhere and some children were crying as they arrived. “It was like every parent’s worst nightmare,” they added.

Parents reportedly had trouble seeing their children for hours while they were treated in a temporary medical area, with some yelling at officers demanding access.

Leicestershire Police have referred themselves to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) for investigation. Officers admitted they received reports on July 27 about children feeling sick but did not visit the camp until the next day.

Stathern Lodge is run by the Braithwaite Gospel Trust, a Christian charity that organizes holiday clubs for children.