A retired veterinary surgeon has admitted to a series of disturbing child sex offences and cruelty charges that took place at a Christian summer camp in Leicestershire where children were given sweets laced with sedatives.
Courtroom Admissions and Chilling Details
Jon Ruben, a 76-year-old married father-of-two from Ruddington, Nottingham, appeared before Judge Timothy Spencer KC at Leicester Crown Court. He pleaded guilty to one count of assault of a child under 13 by penetration and denied a second similar count against a different child, though he admitted an alternative count of sexual assault for that victim.
The court heard prosecutor Mary Prior KC outline how Ruben had run the holiday camp for at least 27 years, selecting children from church classes and youth groups he was involved with. Mrs Prior described a 'sweet game' Ruben would play where he entered children's bedrooms as they wore pyjamas and made them eat three very sticky sweets as quickly as possible.
"When that has been played, the children have always fallen ill the next morning," Mrs Prior told the court, adding that Ruben would explain the sickness away as children being "overwrought by enjoyment or a change of food."
Discovery of Evidence and Police Response
The investigation began after Ruben's stepson grew concerned and searched his belongings, discovering sex toys, syringes, white powder, Vaseline and baby oil. Despite notifying Leicestershire Police about their concerns initially, officers did not attend until the stepson made a further call after boys were sick or struggling to wake up.
Ruben has also admitted to:
- Eight counts of child cruelty
- Three counts of making indecent images of children
- One count of acquiring possession of dutiable goods with fraudulent intent (Temazepam)
- Three counts of possessing controlled Class C drugs including Flubromazolam
The incident occurred at Stathern Lodge, a rented residential facility outside the village of Stathern, Leicestershire, which is owned by the Braithwaite Gospel Trust charity. The camp was run by the Stathern Children's Holiday Fund (SCHF) charity, for which Ruben served as a former trustee.
Emergency Response and Ongoing Proceedings
The situation escalated to the point where ten ambulances, four paramedic cars and an air ambulance were dispatched to Stathern, near Melton Mowbray, after a 'third party' reported a 'medical emergency' at the summer camp. Eight boys and an adult were taken to hospital after becoming ill.
Ruben was eventually arrested in the car park of The Anchor Inn at Plungar, just a few miles from the camp. He has been remanded in custody until November 28, when prosecutors will decide whether to pursue a trial on the single charge he denies.
As the shocking details were presented in court, bearded Ruben smiled in the dock. Leicestershire Police has referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct over its handling of the incident.
