Jon Ruben Confirms Drugging Wife Before Child Abuse, Awaits Sentencing

LEICESTER (Azat TV) – Jon Ruben, a 76-year-old former vet and long-time summer camp operator, has admitted to drugging his wife, Susan Ruben, to prevent her from waking while he sexually assaulted children. This confession came during a plea hearing at Leicester Crown Court on Wednesday, just two days before his scheduled sentencing for a litany of offenses, which include child sexual assault, child cruelty, and making indecent images of children.

Ruben, who ran a holiday camp for at least 27 years, sobbed in the dock as he entered his guilty plea to administering a poison or noxious substance, specifically Temazepam, to his wife between July 26 and 29 last year. His admission underscores a disturbing level of premeditation in a case that has shocked the community.

Ruben’s Admissions and the Summer Camp Horrors

The latest admission adds a chilling layer to the already horrific details of Ruben’s crimes. He had previously pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting two boys at a summer camp held at Stathern Lodge in Stathern, Leicestershire, and to child cruelty involving six other victims. The court heard that Ruben would lace sweets with tranquillising drugs, engaging youngsters in a ‘sweet game’ before attacking them. Several children fell ill after participating, exhibiting symptoms such as difficulty walking, slurred speech, vomiting, and an inability to be roused, with one child even left unconscious.

The events leading to Ruben’s arrest unfolded last July when eight children and one adult became ill at the camp. His stepson raised concerns with his partner after discovering suspicious items, including baby oil, Vaseline, and syringes containing white powder, among Ruben’s belongings. Police were alerted on July 27, and upon attending, found Ruben at a nearby pub with some of the children before arresting him. Subsequent analysis revealed that liquid Xanax had been administered to some of the victims.

Previous Guilty Pleas and Indecent Images

In November of last year, Ruben pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges, including sexual assault of a child under 13, assault of a child under 13 by penetration, eight counts of child cruelty, four drugs charges, and three counts of making indecent images of children. The indecent images charges related to a substantial collection of child exploitation material found on his devices: 50 Category A videos (the most serious classification), 22 Category B videos, and seven Category C videos, created between August 2023 and June last year. It was clarified that none of these images depicted children who attended the summer camp.

Prosecutor Mary Prior KC told the court that there was ‘a long history of children feeling sick at the camp over many years,’ indicating a pattern of suspicious incidents throughout Ruben’s decades-long operation of the holiday camp. Leicestershire Police confirmed that the owners and operators of Stathern Lodge, the rented premises where the incidents occurred, were independent and ‘not connected to the incident.’

Sentencing Looms for Jon Ruben

Ruben is scheduled to be sentenced this Friday. Judge Timothy Spencer KC addressed Ruben directly during the plea hearing, noting his unusual distress and stating that his sentencing would be a ‘very tough day in your life’ and a ‘very long day.’ Ruben tearfully responded, ‘I’m so sorry,’ as he admitted his guilt. Temporary Detective Chief Inspector Holden of Leicestershire Police highlighted the gravity of the case, stating, ‘This has been a horrific, complex and emotional investigation involving multiple young, innocent, vulnerable victims and a man who committed the vilest crimes.’ Holden affirmed the ongoing support for the young victims and their safeguarding.

The latest admission by Jon Ruben, just days before his sentencing, underscores the calculated nature of his crimes, revealing a deliberate effort to incapacitate his wife to facilitate the abuse of children. This development is crucial as it highlights the depth of planning involved, likely influencing the severity of the sentence to be handed down by Judge Spencer KC.