Man admits sex crimes against children at Stathern summer camp

A man who mixed sweets with tranquilizer and gave them to children at a summer camp in Leicestershire has admitted committing sexual offenses against two boys under 13.

Jon Ruben was arrested after eight children and one adult fell ill at Stathern Lodge in July.

The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.

However, he denied one of the sexual crimes of which he was accused, which was against a minor under 13 years of age.

Rubén remained in custody before a new hearing on November 28.

Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, described Ruben’s offending to the court.

He said his victims were disadvantaged children staying at a summer camp he ran.

Ruben played a “sweet game” with the children, Mrs. Prior KC said, in which he would go to the children’s rooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to eat candy “as fast as they could.”

She told the court that Ruben had played this game with the children “for many years” and that the children had already fallen ill the next morning.

She said Ruben had been able to explain this because the children were “excited by enjoyment”, until his stepson had concerns in July 2025.

Mrs Prior KC added: “This year your stepson was worried about what was happening, and for good reason.

“They decided to take a look at the defendant’s belongings.”

Mrs Prior KC said items including baby oil, Vaseline and syringes were found and her stepson notified police of his concerns.

He said Ruben played the “sweet game” with six children that night, Saturday, July 26, and that they were all sick the next morning.

“The police had not come out yet,” he added.

Police watchdog the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) previously told the BBC it was investigating Leicestershire Police’s handling of the incident.

Mrs. Prior KC said the children were having difficulty walking because they were sick, so Ruben’s stepson called the police again.

She said Ruben then played the “sweet game” to a room of five children.

Mrs Prior KC said police attended and Ruben was arrested at a nearby pub, where he was eating with some of the children.

Eight of the children were taken to the hospital and five of them were “very sick,” he said.

Rubén’s devices were later analyzed and it was found that they contained more than 50 category A indecent children’s videos, which are the most serious.

Category B and C videos were also found.

The 17 charges admitted by Rubén were:

• One count of sexual assault of a minor under 13 years of age
• One count of assault on a child under 13 years of age by penetration
• Eight counts of cruelty to a person under 16 years of age, in relation to eight different victims
• One count of acquiring or possessing taxable property, namely temazepam, with fraudulent intent
• Three counts of possession of a class C drug, namely flubromazolam, diazepam and temazepam.
• Three charges of taking indecent photographs of children

Temporary Inspector Neil Holden said: “This has been a horrific, complex and emotional investigation involving multiple young, innocent and vulnerable victims and a man who committed the most vile crimes.

“Of course, our focus today must continue to be on young victims and, with the support of partners and dedicated family liaison officers, we have and will continue to support their welfare and ensure their safeguarding into the future.”