A 76-year-old man has confessed to a series of shocking child cruelty and sexual assault offences after lacing sweets with sedatives at a summer camp, leaving multiple children requiring hospital treatment.
Guilty Plea for Disturbing Summer Camp Offences
Jon Ruben, of Wayte Court, Ruddington, Nottinghamshire, appeared at Leicester Crown Court where he entered guilty pleas to a total of 17 charges. The charges include three counts of wilfully assaulting, ill-treating, neglecting, abandoning, or exposing children in a manner likely to cause them unnecessary suffering.
Ruben also admitted the more severe charges of sexually assaulting a child under 13 and assault by penetration of a second boy. The court heard that his actions were connected to an incident at a summer camp located at Stathern Lodge in Canal Lane, Stathern, Leicestershire.
Children Hospitalised After Ingesting Laced Sweets
The disturbing events came to light on July 27, when Leicestershire Police received a report that children at the camp had become unwell. The force confirmed that eight boys, all aged between eight and 11, and one adult were taken to hospital as a precautionary measure.
Fortunately, all those affected were later discharged from medical care. The police have since referred themselves to the Independent Office for Police Conduct concerning their initial handling of the incident, which involved an initial error in the reported date.
Police Investigation and Ongoing Proceedings
Leicestershire Police have been clear that the owners and operators of Stathern Lodge, a converted farmhouse with sports and catering facilities, are not connected to the crimes committed by Ruben.
With Ruben's guilty plea now entered, the case will proceed to sentencing. The sheer number and severity of the charges, including multiple counts of child abuse and cruelty to eight children, highlight the gravity of the offences committed at the summer camp.
