Police officers investigated over camp abuse response

Two police officers and three staff members are under gross misconduct investigation over the response to safeguarding concerns at a summer camp where children were given sweets laced with tranquilliser, with some sexually abused.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said Nottinghamshire Police received concerns for the safety of children at Stathern Lodge just before 19:00 BST on 27 July 2025, which was passed on to Leicestershire Police.

The IOPC has notified a number of officers and staff members from both forces that they are under investigation.

Two Leicestershire Police officers and three staff members are under gross misconduct investigation, the IOPC said, "for allegedly failing to review the information passed via Nottinghamshire Police, not progressing safeguarding concerns promptly and if this may have delayed officers going to Stathern Lodge".

Meanwhile, two Nottinghamshire Police staff members have also been served with gross misconduct notices "over the grading of the initial call made to the force, how information from the call was risk assessed and managed, and if this caused any delay to the police response".

The IOPC investigation, which focused on the events between the initial call to police and officers attending, follows a referral from Leicestershire Police on 29 July.

Ruben, a former vet, teacher and summer camp leader, used the "cloak of Christianity" to carry out his attacks on vulnerable children, Leicester Crown Court heard.

The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, also drugged his wife Susan to ensure she would not wake up while the abuse took place.

A number of upset and angry parents of the victims also gave emotional testimony, with some swearing at Ruben as he was sentenced.