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Former Summer-Camp Leader Convicted of Drug-Laced Sexual Assault Faces Appeal
By Drooid · · How we work
Conviction and Sentence
Leicester Crown Court sentenced 77-year-old Jon Ruben, a former veterinarian, teacher and church worker from Ruddington, Nottinghamshire, to 23 years and 10 months in prison. The verdict, delivered in February 2025, followed a trial that described Ruben’s abuse of children at a holiday camp he operated in Stathern, Leicestershire, for more than 27 years. The court characterized his actions as exploiting “the cloak of Christianity” to gain access to vulnerable boys.
Abuse Method and Discovery
According to the court record, Ruben entered boys’ rooms at bedtime and invited them to eat sweets “as quickly as they can,” promising a game. Police were alerted after Ruben’s stepson discovered baby oil, Vaseline and syringes at the camp, prompting Ruben’s arrest at a nearby pub. Eight children and one adult fell ill as a result of the drug-laced treats.
Legal Appeal
Ruben has lodged an appeal against his sentence. He is scheduled to appear before the Court of Appeal on 23 October. The appeal will review the severity of the custodial term and the evidentiary basis for the convictions.
Broader Concerns
The case highlights systemic risks in unregulated youth-holiday settings, especially where leaders hold positions of trust within religious or community organisations. Child-protection advocates have called for stricter oversight of such camps and more rigorous background checks for individuals with access to minors. The upcoming appeal will test how the legal system balances punitive measures with procedural safeguards in cases of prolonged, covert abuse.