A former Christian camp leader who drugged young boys with laced sweets before sexually abusing them has been sentenced to 23 years and 10 months in prison. Jon Ruben, 76, a retired vet and church volunteer, carried out the assaults at a summer camp in Stathern, Leicestershire, using what the court called a 'cloak of Christianity' to gain trust.
Leicester Crown Court heard that Ruben laced sweets with tranquillisers during a 'sweet game' at the camp in July 2025, sedating the boys to enable his abuse. He also drugged his wife's tea to avoid detection. Ruben pleaded guilty to charges including sexual assault, child cruelty, making indecent images, and drug offences.
Judge Spencer described Ruben's actions as 'careful, cynical, chilling preparation' for sexual gratification. The court was told he used the dark web to obtain sedatives, intended to be temazepam, though victims later tested positive for liquid Xanax. Ruben also took Viagra to facilitate his offending.
Ruben's wife, Susan, expressed feeling 'completely betrayed', calling him a 'sadistic, monstrous paedophile'. The Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham said he was 'profoundly shocked' by the abuse in a context that 'should have been safe and nurturing'. Police continue to investigate Ruben's involvement with children over more than 20 years.
In a statement read outside court, victims' families condemned Ruben, saying he 'took away our children's right to be children'. The sentence includes an extended licence period, making the total 31 years and eight months.
