Man admits sex offences against boys at Stathern summer camp

A man who sedated sweets and gave them to children at a summer camp in Leicestershire has admitted committing sexual offenses against two boys aged nine and 10.

Jon Ruben was arrested after eight children and one adult fell ill at Stathern Lodge in July.

The 76-year-old man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted a total of 17 charges when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.

However, he denied one of the sexual offenses against him – sexual offenses against a nine-year-old child.

The court heard the victims were underprivileged children staying at a summer camp run by Ruben.

Prosecutor Mary Prior KC said Ruben played a “sweet game” with the children, going to their rooms as they were getting ready for bed and asking them to eat sweets “as quickly as possible”.

He told the court Ruben had been playing the game with the children “for years” and that children had previously fallen ill the next morning.

He said Ruben was able to explain it as the children “going overboard for pleasure” for many years until his stepson had concerns in July 2025.

Mrs Prior KC added: “This year her stepson had concerns about what was going on, and for good reason.

“They decided to look through the defendant’s belongings.”

Miss Prior KC said items including baby oil, petroleum jelly and syringes were found and her stepson reported his concerns to police.

He said Ruben continued to play “sweet game” with six boys that night – Saturday, July 26 – and they were all sick the next morning.

“The police had not come out at that stage,” he added.