Camp Director Pleads Guilty After Sedative-Laced Sweets, Admits Drugging Wife to Hide Abuse

Jon Ruben, 76, the director of a charity-run summer camp in Leicestershire, has pleaded guilty to a series of offences after children at his camp fell ill from sweets later found to contain a sedative. Prosecutors say Ruben used the sedative to incapacitate youngsters and sexually assaulted at least two boys under 13; he has also admitted drugging his wife, prosecutors allege, to keep her asleep while the abuse took place.

Charges, Evidence and Arrest

Ruben faces 18 offences, including sexual assault of a child under 13, assault by penetration of a child under 13, making indecent photographs of a child, and administering a poison or noxious substance with intent. The offences were uncovered in July when a number of children became unwell while staying at Stathern Lodge, a charity camp for underprivileged youth that Ruben ran in Leicestershire. Eight children aged between 8 and 11, and one adult, were taken to hospital at that time.

Police said Ruben was found at a nearby pub with some of the children and was arrested at the scene. Investigators reported that Ruben had encouraged campers to take part in a so-called "sweet game," offering candies that were later determined to contain a sedative. Officers also discovered evidence that Ruben had sexually assaulted two boys under 13 and uncovered child sexual abuse material on his electronic devices.

Further Guilty Pleas And Court Appearance

According to Leicestershire Police and reporting by the BBC, Ruben pleaded guilty to most charges in November 2025. He entered a not guilty plea in December to sexual assault allegations involving one of the boys but has since admitted an additional offence: administering a poison or noxious substance with intent in relation to an adult. Prosecutors allege Ruben drugged his wife, Susan, to keep her asleep while he abused children at the camp over a number of years.

"I'm so sorry," Ruben said through tears as he pleaded guilty to the charge involving his wife at Leicestershire Crown Court on Feb. 4.

Ruben is due to be sentenced on Friday, Feb. 6. The court process is ongoing and further details will be released by authorities as appropriate.

Help And Reporting

Anyone with information about Ruben or these offences is asked to contact Leicestershire Police via their Public Portal at www.leics.police.uk or by calling 101. If you suspect child abuse in the United States, contact the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child (1-800-422-4453) or visit www.childhelp.org. The hotline is toll-free, confidential and available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.