Detectives Fear Historical Abuse Case in Camp Leader's Crimes
Detectives investigating a former veterinary surgeon who drugged and sexually abused children at a Christian summer camp have admitted they may never uncover the full extent of his offending. Jon Ruben, 76, began a 23-year prison sentence on Friday after pleading guilty to sexually assaulting two boys and committing child cruelty against six other victims.
Drugging and Abuse at Remote Countryside Camp
The offences occurred at Stathern Lodge in Leicestershire last July, where Ruben laced sweets with a tranquilising drug to facilitate the abuse. In a disturbing additional detail, he also admitted to drugging his wife to ensure she remained asleep during the attacks. The case has sent shockwaves through the Nottinghamshire community, where Ruben was previously held in high regard for his decades of work with children.
Community Connections Raise Alarm
Ruben ran the summer camp for over 27 years while also being involved in local schools and church groups. Following his retirement from veterinary practice, he retrained as a teacher and worked at multiple educational establishments. He volunteered at his local church in Ruddington, a village outside Nottingham, further embedding himself in community activities involving young people.
Temporary Detective Inspector Neil Holden expressed grave concerns about potential unreported victims. "We will never know the full history of offending that John Rubin has potentially been involved with," he stated. "My appeal is to anybody that has been either a victim or has been a witness to any offending to please come and talk to the police."
Potential for Widespread Historical Abuse
When asked if this could develop into a major historical abuse case, Detective Inspector Holden responded, "Absolutely, potentially, yes." The investigation is now being conducted jointly with Nottinghamshire Police, with support from social care and health services in Nottingham. Authorities are particularly concerned about Ruben's extensive involvement with educational and religious organizations.
A statement from Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Safeguarding Children Partnerships confirmed that all agencies are focused on supporting affected children and families. "Any previous involvement John Ruben had with young people, including employment as a teacher at schools in the city and county, is the subject of an ongoing police investigation," the statement read.
Multi-Agency Response and Review
The safeguarding partnership, which includes Nottingham City Council, Nottinghamshire County Council, and the NHS, has announced plans for a comprehensive multi-agency review of the case. This review aims to examine how Ruben was able to maintain access to children through various community roles despite his criminal activities.
Police have established dedicated reporting channels for potential victims or witnesses to come forward. The investigation continues to explore Ruben's activities across Nottinghamshire, where his community involvement spanned veterinary surgeries, educational institutions, and religious organizations over several decades.
