Man (76) admits sexual assaults and lacing sweets at childrens' camp

Police descended on Stathern Lodge on Monday July 28 following concerns raised that a number of children had become unwell while at the camp, which was being run there by Jon Ruben.

A report was made that Ruben, a former vet who ran a charity providing short holiday breaks for children, may have been drugging children at the camp with a number of youngsters feeling drowsy and sick.

East Midlands Ambulance Service also attended the scene with eight boys, all aged between eight and 11, being taken to hospital as a precaution.

At the time of police attending, Ruben, of Wayte Court, Landmere Lane, Ruddington, Nottingham, was found to be at a nearby pub with some of the children.

He was arrested by officers at the pub and taken into custody.

Searches were carried out at Stathern Lodge, with items including syringes and sedatives being found.

Ruben was charged four days later, on Friday August 1, with three counts of wilful ill treatment of a child, and the force’s Major Crime team then continued more than three months of detailed and dedicated enquiries to uncover further evidence of Ruben’s crimes.

This included statements being taken from victims and witnesses, exhibits being sent off for examination and analysis of digital devices seized.

These enquiries led to it being found that on the evenings of Saturday July 26 and Sunday July 27, Ruben had carried out a ‘sweet game’ with a number of children at the lodge which involved encouraging them to eat the sweets.

Following toxicology tests, a sedative was found to be present in children at the camp as well as within sweets which had been provided to the children.

Analysis of devices belonging to Ruben were found to contain more than 50 category A indecent videos of children - the most serious in nature – as well Category B and C videos.

The enquiries carried out also found evidence that Ruben had sexually assaulted two boys – both victims were under 13-years-old – prompting Ruben to be re-arrested in October.

Today, at Leicester Crown Court, Ruben pleaded guilty to a total of 17 offences, including eight counts of wilful ill treatment of a child, all being separate victims, sexual offences against two children and charges of possession of indecent images of children. Sentencing will take place at a later hearing.

None of the images concerned relate to children who were at the summer camp at Stathern.

Ruben pleaded not guilty to another charge of sexual assault of a boy aged under 13.

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

“Our focus today must of course remain on the young victims and with the support of partners and dedicated Family Liaison Officers, we have and continue to support their welfare and to ensure their safeguarding going forward.”

The owners and operators of Stathern Lodge are independent from those people who use or hire the lodge.