Summer camp sex offender admits drugging wife

Jon Ruben, a 76-year-old man from Ruddington, Nottinghamshire, has admitted to drugging his wife with temazepam to facilitate the sexual abuse of children at a summer camp in Stathern, Leicestershire. The offenses occurred between July 26 and July 29, 2023, at Stathern Lodge, where Ruben had been running a holiday camp for children for at least 27 years. Ruben's actions came to light after eight children and one adult fell ill, prompting an investigation that led to his arrest. On November 14, Ruben pleaded guilty to 17 charges, including sexual assault, cruelty to a person under 16, and possession of indecent photographs of children, at Leicester Crown Court. The court heard that Ruben had been administering tranquillizers to children through sweets, causing them to fall ill and become incapacitated, which he had done for many years. Ruben's stepson raised concerns after finding suspicious items in his belongings, leading to a police investigation that uncovered over 50 category A indecent videos of children on Ruben's devices. The owners and operators of Stathern Lodge have stated that they are not connected to the incident. Ruben is set to be sentenced on Friday, with the judge warning him that it will be a very emotional and tough day.