A 76-year-old former veterinarian who ran summer camps for vulnerable children has admitted to drugging young boys with tranquilizer-laced sweets before sexually assaulting them, exposing decades of predatory behavior that went undetected despite repeated warnings.
Story Highlights
- Jon Ruben pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting two boys under 13 after drugging them with sedative-laced candy
- The former vet operated a deceptive “sweet game” for 27 years at camps targeting underprivileged children
- Multiple children and adults fell ill over the years, but concerns were dismissed as kids being “overwrought”
- Ruben exploited his positions as teacher and church leader to select victims and avoid scrutiny
Predator Used Authority to Target Vulnerable Children
Jon Ruben leveraged his respected roles as veterinarian, teacher, and church leader to establish and operate summer camps for underprivileged children across 27 years. The 76-year-old predator carefully selected attendees through his institutional connections, creating the perfect hunting ground for abuse. His authority allowed him to control camp activities while maintaining a facade of charitable work that shielded him from suspicion.
Systematic Drugging Through Manipulative “Sweet Game”
Ruben’s method involved a calculated “sweet game” where he distributed candy laced with tranquilizers to children before bedtime at camps held at Stathern Lodge in Leicestershire. This systematic approach enabled him to incapacitate victims, making them vulnerable to sexual assault while ensuring they would have limited memory of the abuse. The game appeared innocent to observers but served as his primary mechanism for facilitating crimes against at least eight children.
Warning Signs Ignored for Nearly Three Decades
Despite persistent reports of children falling ill at the camps over many years, Ruben dismissed concerns by claiming the children were simply “overwrought.” The pattern of illness should have triggered investigation, but his respected position and manipulative explanations allowed the abuse to continue undetected. This represents a catastrophic failure of child protection systems that prioritized institutional reputation over child safety.
Legal Proceedings Reveal Scope of Abuse
At Leicester Crown Court on November 14, 2025, Ruben pleaded guilty to multiple charges including sexual assault of two boys under 13, child cruelty affecting six children, and making indecent images. He also admitted to administering noxious substances and drug offenses related to the tranquilizer scheme. Prosecutor Mary Prior KC emphasized how Ruben exploited his position of trust to access and abuse vulnerable children systematically.
The case finally came to light when multiple children and an adult became seriously ill after consuming the drug-laced sweets during a recent summer camp session, prompting police investigation and Ruben’s arrest in July 2025. He remains in custody awaiting sentencing, with a further hearing scheduled for November 28, 2025. This horrific case underscores the urgent need for stronger safeguarding measures in youth organizations and rigorous background checks for those working with children.
Sources:
Vet admits drugging boys with sweets at camp he ran for 27 years
Former vet laced sweets with drugs
