Summer camp leader, Jon Ruben has been warned he faces a ‘significant’ prison sentence for abusing boys after giving them sweets laced with drugs at Stathern Lodge in Leicestershire
A former vet who admitted drugging and sexually abusing boys after luring them with sweets at a summer camp has been warned to expect a ‘significant’ jail term.
Prosecutors told Leicester Crown Court on Thursday (December 4) that they would not pursue a charge of assault by penetration, which Jon Ruben, 76, had denied last month. The summer camp leader from Wayte Court, Ruddington, Nottinghamshire, previously pleaded guilty to 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 drug-related charges.
His case was put on hold while prosecutors deliberated whether to take him to trial over the disputed charge, but Mary Prior KC decided it was “it is not in the public interest” to proceed after consulting with the victim’s family and the police.
Judge Timothy Spencer KC informed Ruben, appearing via video link from HMP Peterborough, that he will be sentenced on February 6 next year for the crimes he admitted to.
The judge warned Ruben: “A significant sentence of imprisonment is coming your way”, to which the defendant responded: “I understand that.”
The court had earlier heard how Ruben crushed drugs into sweets and initiated a “sweet game” with children at the summer camp. Several children fell ill after participating in the game, experiencing difficulty walking, slurred speech, and an inability to wake up, the plea hearing revealed.
Some youngsters “couldn’t be roused at all” and were being sick, with one child rendered unconscious. The hired venue, Stathern Lodge, in Leicestershire, had no connection to the camp operation itself, with Ruben overseeing children at that location.
He had been operating a holiday camp for 27 years, the earlier hearing was told. The defendant’s stepson became alarmed and spoke to his partner during the camp after discovering baby oil, syringes containing white powder, and other suspicious items.
Eight youngsters were rushed to hospital following a police report on July 27, with liquid Xanax confirmed to have been administered to some of the victims.
The indecent images charges Ruben pleaded guilty to involved 50 category A indecent videos of children, 22 Category B videos and seven Category C videos created between August 2023 and June this year.
None of the images in question involved children who attended the summer camp.
Ruben was informed he must appear in person at his sentencing hearing, which is expected to run for one day.
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