A 76-year-old man who operated a summer camp for children for 27 years has admitted to a series of horrific crimes, including lacing sweets with drugs and sexually assaulting two young boys.
The Disturbing 'Sweet Game'
Leicester Crown Court heard how former vet Jon Ruben would wait for boys to be in their pyjamas before initiating what he called a 'sweet game' in the bedrooms at Stathern Lodge near Melton, Leicestershire.
Prosecutor Mary Prior KC detailed how Ruben would bring sweets he had injected with tranquilisers into the rooms, challenging children to eat the sticky sweets as quickly as possible while ensuring they chewed them properly.
The court was told that for many years, children had consistently reported feeling ill the following day, with Ruben allegedly dismissing their symptoms as being 'overwrought' from camp activities.
Police Intervention and Hospitalisations
Leicestershire Police were initially contacted on July 25 after Ruben's stepson discovered suspicious items including baby oil and syringes containing white powder at the premises.
However, officers didn't arrive until two days later, by which time several children had become seriously ill during another round of the so-called game.
Eight children required hospital treatment after experiencing symptoms including extreme drowsiness, vomiting, slurred speech, difficulty walking, and in one case, complete unconsciousness.
Forensic analysis revealed that liquid Xanax had been used on some victims, with drugs being crushed and injected into the sweets by the former veterinary professional.
Shocking Charges and Admission
Ruben, of Ruddington, Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to multiple serious offences including:
- Sexual assault of a child under 13
- Assault of a child under 13 by penetration
- Eight counts of child cruelty
- Three counts of making indecent images of children
- Four drugs charges
The court heard that the indecent images charges related to 50 Category A videos, 22 Category B videos, and seven Category C videos made between August 2023 and June 2024. Prosecutors confirmed none of these images involved children from the summer camp.
Ruben denied one charge of assault by penetration, with prosecutors given two weeks to decide whether to proceed with this charge.
Ms Prior warned the court about the potential severity of Ruben's actions, stating: "Consequences could have been damage to the heart and if we were to look at the worst case scenario, death."
The rented premises at Stathern Lodge were not directly connected to the main camp operations, though Ruben had been entrusted with supervising children there.
