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| Version 4 | Version 5 |
|---|---|
| Bushey LL Camps director faces child porn charges | Bushey LL Camps director faces child porn charges |
| (about 20 hours later) | |
| A director of a children's camp in Hertfordshire has been charged with possessing indecent images of children. | |
| Ben Lewis, 25, of Lullington Garth, Borehamwood, faces three charges relating to the offence. | Ben Lewis, 25, of Lullington Garth, Borehamwood, faces three charges relating to the offence. |
| Mr Lewis is a director of LL Camps, a US-style children's camp in Bushey. | |
| He appeared before Hatfield Remand Court on Wednesday and was kept in custody pending a further hearing on Friday at St Albans Crown Court. | |
| LL Camps, which opened in 2010 and promoted itself as the Britain's only US-style summer camp, was closed by Ofsted on Thursday. | |
| Parents of children due to attend the camp for the rest of the summer have been pledged refunds by the company's co-founder, Tal Landsman. | Parents of children due to attend the camp for the rest of the summer have been pledged refunds by the company's co-founder, Tal Landsman. |
| 'Inconvenience and disruption' | 'Inconvenience and disruption' |
| He issued a statement on the club's Facebook page informing parents how they could claim refunds via the club's official website. | He issued a statement on the club's Facebook page informing parents how they could claim refunds via the club's official website. |
| "I was totally unaware of the background to the charges and was in no way involved in any alleged incident," he said. | "I was totally unaware of the background to the charges and was in no way involved in any alleged incident," he said. |
| "I am really sorry that this has caused inconvenience and disruption." | "I am really sorry that this has caused inconvenience and disruption." |
| He revealed Mr Lewis was no longer involved in the running of the camp and thanked parents for their "continued patience through this difficult time". | He revealed Mr Lewis was no longer involved in the running of the camp and thanked parents for their "continued patience through this difficult time". |
| Mr Landsman continued: "I am working hard with the relevant parties and will update as soon as we have further information." | Mr Landsman continued: "I am working hard with the relevant parties and will update as soon as we have further information." |
| Meanwhile, extra staff have been brought in by police to handle any queries people may have about the inquiry and have urged people with any concerns to call 101. | Meanwhile, extra staff have been brought in by police to handle any queries people may have about the inquiry and have urged people with any concerns to call 101. |
| The privately-run firm was based at St Margaret's School Sports Centre on Merry Hill Road in Bushey. | The privately-run firm was based at St Margaret's School Sports Centre on Merry Hill Road in Bushey. |
| A school spokeswoman previously said the only link to LL Camps was the organisation's hiring out a part of its sports centre site during holidays. | A school spokeswoman previously said the only link to LL Camps was the organisation's hiring out a part of its sports centre site during holidays. |
| Free-school bid | Free-school bid |
| LL Camps marketed itself as about "meeting new friends, expanding interests and learning new skills". | LL Camps marketed itself as about "meeting new friends, expanding interests and learning new skills". |
| Its website, which is now offline, said: "We provide opportunities for children aged 4-14 to experience day camp, American style." | Its website, which is now offline, said: "We provide opportunities for children aged 4-14 to experience day camp, American style." |
| Facilities included a motorsports track, archery ranges, tennis courts, arts and crafts studios, a climbing wall and quad bikes. | Facilities included a motorsports track, archery ranges, tennis courts, arts and crafts studios, a climbing wall and quad bikes. |
| Mr Lewis and Mr Landsman had also launched a bid to open a free school in Borehamwood. | Mr Lewis and Mr Landsman had also launched a bid to open a free school in Borehamwood. |
| A spokeswoman for the Department of Education said an application had been received but they could not comment on individual cases. | A spokeswoman for the Department of Education said an application had been received but they could not comment on individual cases. |
| "All free school applications are rigorously assessed and must meet our high standards before approval can be given," she said. | "All free school applications are rigorously assessed and must meet our high standards before approval can be given," she said. |
| "Clearly, groups that include individuals that pose any risk to pupils would not be allowed to open a free school." | "Clearly, groups that include individuals that pose any risk to pupils would not be allowed to open a free school." |