Summer Camp Paedophile Receives 31-Year Sentence for Drugging and Assaulting Boys
Shocking newly released footage has revealed the arrogant demeanor of a paedophile who drugged and sexually assaulted young boys at a summer camp in Leicestershire. Jon Ruben, a 76-year-old former veterinarian, was captured on camera smirking and calmly refusing to answer police questions during his arrest and interview.
Chilling Crimes at Stathern Lodge Summer Camp
Ruben sexually abused two children, aged between eight and eleven, after handing them sweets laced with tranquilising drugs while working at a summer camp at Stathern Lodge in Stathern, Leicestershire. The pensioner played what he described as "a game" with the boys to facilitate his assaults without detection.
In the police interview footage, Ruben wore a grey tracksuit and repeatedly responded with "no comment" in an eerily calm tone when questioned about whether he had given the children anything inappropriate. He maintained this arrogant attitude throughout the proceedings, even smirking during his arrest.
Comprehensive Guilty Pleas and Additional Crimes
The retired vet pleaded guilty to multiple serious charges 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, and four drugs charges.
In a particularly disturbing revelation, Ruben also admitted to drugging his wife Susan with temazepam last summer to ensure she would not wake up while he sexually assaulted the children. Mrs. Ruben told the court she felt "completely betrayed" by her husband, describing him as "a sadistic, monstrous paedophile" who had spent decades portraying himself as a righteous, honourable man.
Substantial Prison Sentence Imposed
At his sentencing hearing on Friday, Judge Timothy Spencer KC sentenced Ruben to 23 years and 10 months in prison, with an additional period on licence bringing his total sentence to 31 years and eight months. The judge told Ruben that his crimes represented "careful, cynical, chilling preparation and manipulation" to achieve sexual gratification through fantasies focused on young boys.
Judge Spencer emphasized that Ruben had shown "deliberate disregard for the welfare of victims" and that the harm caused was "at the highest level." The judge concluded that Ruben represented a continuing danger to society, stating: "Given the opportunity, you would continue to take risks, and that would amount to risk of causing serious harm to others."
Victims' Families Express Devastation
In a joint statement issued after the hearing, the parents of the victims expressed their anger and horror at Ruben's actions. They described how he had portrayed himself as "a good Christian man" whom they could trust with their children's care, while actually being "a devious child sexual predator."
The parents stated: "He took away our children's right to be children, to be safe and protected. He has caused the most heartbreaking emotional and psychological damage and our children continue to suffer every day because of what he did. They have lost their innocence, their confidence and their trust."
Police confiscated a pile of sweets as evidence during their investigation, highlighting the method Ruben used to lure and drug his young victims. The case has raised serious questions about safeguarding procedures at summer camps and the mechanisms for protecting vulnerable children in recreational settings.
