Summer camp leader to appeal 23-year abuse sentence

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 15 Oct, 15:02 · Archive

Jon Ruben, 77, is appealing his 23-year prison sentence for sexually assaulting boys after giving them tranquilliser-laced sweets at a summer camp.

Jon Ruben, a 77-year-old former vet, teacher and church worker, is appealing against his prison sentence of 23 years and 10 months, imposed in February after he sexually assaulted boys at Stathern Lodge near Melton, Leicestershire, in July 2025. He is due at the Court of Appeal on 23 October.

Ruben had run summer camps for vulnerable and socially deprived children for at least 27 years as a trustee of the Stathern Children's Holiday Fund. The court heard he deliberately placed boys in rooms nearest to his own and gave them sweets injected with sedatives, telling them the first to finish all three would win chocolate. Over two nights, more than 40 children were at the camp when he carried out the abuse.

Eight children and an adult fell ill at the camp. Ruben's stepson found syringes, vials and drugs in his room and called police. Ruben was arrested at a nearby pub. In November, he pleaded guilty to 17 offences including sexual assault of a child under 13, assault by penetration, and eight counts of child cruelty. The judge noted he had misused his veterinary knowledge and used the dark web to access drugs. The sentence included an extended licence period of eight years.

How it is being reported

• Vile summer camp paedophile who drugged boys with sweets to appeal jail termJon Ruben drugged boys before sexually assaulting them at the summer campLeicestershire Live · 15 Oct, 14:40
• Camp leader who abused boys to challenge sentenceJon Ruben was jailed for abusing boys after giving them sweets laced with tranquiliser.BBC Leicester · 15 Oct, 13:28

In this story: Jon Ruben · Stathern Lodge · Leicester Crown Court · Court of Appeal · Leicestershire · Stathern Children's Holiday Fund

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