Pensioner who sexually abused children at summer camp also drugged wife
A 76-year-old former vet who sexually abused children at a summer camp has confessed to sedating his wife to prevent her from waking during the attacks.
Jon Ruben appeared at Leicester Crown Court on Wednesday and pleaded guilty to administering Temazepam, a noxious substance, to his wife between July 26 and 29 last year.
Ruben wept in the dock during proceedings, prompting Judge Timothy Spencer KC to remark that he appeared “unusually” upset.
After entering his plea, the pensioner said: “Guilty. I’m so sorry. Guilty.”
The court heard that Ruben had operated what he called a “sweet game” with youngsters at Stathern Lodge, near Melton Mowbray.
He would inject confectionery with tranquillising substances before encouraging children to consume them.
Jon Ruben cried as he entered his pleas
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Two boys, both under the age of 13, were sexually assaulted by Ruben after being drugged in this manner.
In July last year, eight children aged between eight and 11 were rushed to hospital after falling ill at the camp. Toxicology tests revealed liquid Xanax in samples taken from some victims, as well as within sweets given to the youngsters.
Ms Prior previously told the court that several children experienced difficulty walking, slurred speech and an inability to wake up after participating in the game.
Ruben would dismiss their symptoms the following morning, telling them they were “overwrought.”
Officers attended the scene in Stathern, Leicestershire
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PA
Ruben had already entered guilty pleas in November to 17 separate charges.
These included sexual assault of a child under 13, assault by penetration of a child under 13, eight counts of child cruelty, three counts of making indecent images of children, and four drugs offences.
Police searches at Stathern Lodge uncovered baby oil, Vaseline, sedatives and syringes among his possessions.
Three sweets that had been injected but not yet used were also discovered.
Police searched the scenein Stathern, Leicestershire
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PA
Investigators examining Ruben’s electronic devices found more than 50 category A indecent videos of children, the most severe classification.
A further 22 category B videos and seven category C videos were also recovered, created between August 2023 and June last year.
None of these images involved children who attended the summer camp.
Ruben, of Wayte Court in Ruddington, Nottinghamshire, had operated holiday camps for underprivileged and socially deprived children for at least 27 years.
The summer camp in Stathern, Leicestershire,
He used his position as a teacher and senior church member to run youth clubs, evening classes and Sunday schools from which he selected attendees for the summer programme.
During the camp last July, his stepson raised concerns with his partner after discovering baby oil, syringes containing white powder and other suspicious items.
Leicestershire Police confirmed that the owners and operators of Stathern Lodge are independent from those who hire the venue and were not connected to the incident.
Ruben is scheduled to be sentenced on Friday. Judge Spencer KC warned him: “It will be a very tough day in your life.”
