How vile' summer camp leader Jon Ruben betrayed a city to abuse its children

"Jon Ruben was the pillar of the community. A highly respected retired veterinary surgeon, he offered children in deprived areas of Nottingham an annual free Christian summer camp, packed with outdoor play and educational activities to promote self-confidence. So popular were the three-day trips, held at the remote Stathern Lodge, 18 miles out of the city, that spaces filled up months before, while charitable groups happily supported the venture with thousands of pounds in donations."

"Before bedtime, children were offered sweets wrapped in bright purple packaging by Ruben, who would challenge them to eat them quickly, with the winner given a reward, such as a chocolate bar. But unbeknownst to those who ate them, or to his fellow youth camp leaders, Ruben had injected treats with a fast-acting tranquilliser. As the children lay sedated, Ruben sexually abused two of them at the last holiday camp in July."

"He was only exposed when his suspicious step-son raised the alarm after discovering syringes, baby oil and white powder in Ruben's room at the camp. On Friday, he was jailed for 23 years and 10 months after admitting to the attacks on the two children, as well as eight counts of child cruelty and three counts of making indecent images of children."

Jon Ruben was a respected retired veterinary surgeon who ran an annual free Christian summer camp for deprived children from Nottingham at remote Stathern Lodge. The three-day trips were popular and supported by charitable donations. Ruben used a 'sweet game', offering sweets in bright purple packaging and challenging children to eat them quickly, rewarding winners. He secretly injected treats with a fast-acting tranquilliser so children became sedated. During the last holiday camp in July he sexually abused two sedated children. He also drugged his wife to conceal assaults. A suspicious step-son found syringes, baby oil and white powder, prompting an investigation. Ruben admitted multiple offences and received 23 years and 10 months in prison, plus convictions for child cruelty and indecent images.

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