Victim Requires Hospitalization Following Suspected Toxic Exposure at Summer Camp
In late July 2025, a suspected poisoning incident took place at a summer camp in Stathern, Leicestershire, UK. The incident resulted in eight children and one adult being hospitalized, but all have since been discharged.
The incident was initially reported on Monday, but Leicestershire Police later amended the date to Sunday. On the same day, a 76-year-old man, John Ruben, was arrested on suspicion of administering poison with intent to injure. He has been charged with three counts of wilful ill treatment of a child.
Detective Inspector Neil Holden is the senior investigating officer in the case. Leicestershire Police described the investigation as complex and sensitive, and they have been coordinating with partner agencies to safeguard the children involved.
Due to concerns over a possible delay in police response to the incident, Leicestershire Police referred the case to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC). The IOPC is now conducting an independent investigation into whether any breaches of professional standards or duties occurred that contributed to the delay.
Specifically, the IOPC is examining if there was a failure in the police’s professional behavior or duties that delayed the recognition and response to the critical incident. The IOPC is also examining all available evidence in the case.
The IOPC has not made any statements regarding the arrest of John Ruben, and the details of the referral from Leicestershire Police are still unknown. The arrested individual remains in custody as the investigation proceeds.
Leicestershire Police and the IOPC have been in close contact with the children’s families, and updates on the investigation will be provided to parents, guardians, and the public as they become available. The East Midlands Ambulance Service responded to the incident with ten crewed ambulances, paramedics, and responders from the air ambulance.
The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of safeguarding children and the need for prompt and effective responses to critical incidents. As the investigation continues, the community hopes for a swift resolution and closure for all those affected.
[1] Leicestershire Police Press Release, 2025. [2] IOPC Press Release, 2025. [3] Leicester Mercury, 2025. [4] BBC News, 2025.
- Amidst the complex and sensitive investigation into the poisoning incident at a Stathern summer camp, mental health professionals are emphasizing the need for support for the affected children as well as their families, recognizing the potential long-term impact on their general health-and-wellness and mental-health.
- In addition to the ongoing police investigation regarding the poisoning incident, general news outlets are tracking the parallel investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) into possible breaches of professional police standards or duties that could have contributed to a delay in their response, raising concerns within the realm of crime-and-justice.
