LONDON (AP) — A 76-year-old man, identified as Jon Ruben, appeared in court on Saturday facing serious child cruelty charges. The case arises from an alarming incident at a summer camp where several boys reportedly fell ill after consuming candy believed to be laced with sedatives. The hearing took place at Leicester Magistrates’ Court, located in central England.

During the brief session, Ruben was ordered to remain in custody until a subsequent hearing scheduled for August 29. At this time, he did not enter a plea regarding the charges against him, which involves three boys at the camp.

Authorities launched an investigation after receiving a report on a Sunday about children becoming unwell at Stathern Lodge. This lodge, a converted farmhouse equipped with a sports hall and catering facilities, is situated approximately 120 miles (190 kilometers) north of London. Following the incident, eight boys aged between 8 and 11, along with one adult, were taken to a hospital as a precautionary measure. Fortunately, all individuals were later discharged from medical care.

Police apprehended Ruben on the following Monday at a pub located near the lodge, as investigations intensified. He resides approximately 15 miles (24 kilometers) away from Stathern Lodge, highlighting the proximity of his home to the site of the troubling event.

Ruben faces three counts of "wilfully assaulting, ill-treating, neglecting, abandoning, or exposing children in a manner likely to cause them unnecessary suffering or injury to health." These allegations specifically pertain to the three boys involved in the summer camp incident.

The lodge is owned by the Braithwaite Gospel Trust, a Christian charity that oversees the facility. In response to the incident, local police have made it clear that the owners of the lodge "are independent from those people who use or hire the lodge and are not connected to the incident." This statement seeks to clarify any misconceptions regarding the relationship between the charity and the legal case surrounding Ruben.

The charges and the circumstances surrounding this case highlight significant concerns regarding the safety of children in recreational settings, particularly when they are under the supervision of adults. As the legal process unfolds, more details are likely to emerge regarding the incident and Ruben's actions.