Christian Camp Leader Jailed for Drugging and Abusing Boys
Published 6 February 2026
Highlights
- Jon Ruben, a former vet and Christian camp leader, was sentenced to over 23 years for drugging and sexually abusing boys.
- Ruben used drug-laced sweets to sedate his victims at Stathern Lodge, a camp he ran in Leicestershire.
- He pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including sexual assault and child cruelty, with a total sentence of 31 years and eight months.
- Ruben's wife and parents of victims expressed betrayal and anger, highlighting his manipulation under the guise of Christianity.
- The investigation into Ruben's activities continues, with police contacting organizations he was involved with over the past 20 years.
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Rewritten Article
Christian Camp Leader Jailed for Drugging and Abusing Boys
Jon Ruben, a 76-year-old former veterinarian and Christian camp leader, has been sentenced to over 23 years in prison for drugging and sexually abusing young boys. The sentencing took place at Leicester Crown Court, where Judge Timothy Spencer KC condemned Ruben's actions as a "chilling" abuse of trust cloaked in religious respectability.
Abuse Under the Cloak of Christianity
Ruben, who ran a summer camp at Stathern Lodge in Leicestershire, used his position within the church to gain access to vulnerable children. He laced sweets with tranquilizers, which he then gave to the boys under the guise of a "sweet game." This allowed him to sedate and subsequently abuse them. His wife, Susan Ruben, was also drugged to ensure she remained unaware of his nocturnal activities.
Legal Proceedings and Sentencing
Ruben pleaded guilty to a series of charges, including sexual assault of a child under 13, child cruelty, and drug offenses. His total sentence, including time on license, amounts to 31 years and eight months. The court heard that Ruben misused his veterinary knowledge to procure drugs via the dark web and even attempted to join an online paedophile group.
Community Outrage and Ongoing Investigation
The case has sparked outrage among the victims' families and the wider community. In a joint statement, parents described Ruben as a "devious child sexual predator" who betrayed their trust. Susan Ruben, who has initiated divorce proceedings, called her husband a "sadistic, monstrous paedophile." The Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham expressed profound shock at the betrayal of trust within a supposedly safe environment.
Leicestershire Police, in collaboration with Nottinghamshire Police, continue to investigate Ruben's activities, reaching out to schools and youth organizations he was associated with over the past two decades.
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Scenario Analysis
The sentencing of Jon Ruben marks a significant step in addressing the heinous crimes committed under the guise of religious leadership. However, the ongoing investigation suggests that further revelations may emerge, potentially implicating other individuals or uncovering additional victims. Legal experts emphasize the importance of robust child protection measures in religious and community settings to prevent such abuses of trust. The case also highlights the need for increased vigilance and transparency within organizations that work with children, ensuring that safeguarding protocols are not only in place but actively enforced.
Jon Ruben, a 76-year-old former veterinarian and Christian camp leader, has been sentenced to over 23 years in prison for drugging and sexually abusing young boys. The sentencing took place at Leicester Crown Court, where Judge Timothy Spencer KC condemned Ruben's actions as a "chilling" abuse of trust cloaked in religious respectability.
Abuse Under the Cloak of Christianity
Ruben, who ran a summer camp at Stathern Lodge in Leicestershire, used his position within the church to gain access to vulnerable children. He laced sweets with tranquilizers, which he then gave to the boys under the guise of a "sweet game." This allowed him to sedate and subsequently abuse them. His wife, Susan Ruben, was also drugged to ensure she remained unaware of his nocturnal activities.
Legal Proceedings and Sentencing
Ruben pleaded guilty to a series of charges, including sexual assault of a child under 13, child cruelty, and drug offenses. His total sentence, including time on license, amounts to 31 years and eight months. The court heard that Ruben misused his veterinary knowledge to procure drugs via the dark web and even attempted to join an online paedophile group.
Community Outrage and Ongoing Investigation
The case has sparked outrage among the victims' families and the wider community. In a joint statement, parents described Ruben as a "devious child sexual predator" who betrayed their trust. Susan Ruben, who has initiated divorce proceedings, called her husband a "sadistic, monstrous paedophile." The Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham expressed profound shock at the betrayal of trust within a supposedly safe environment.
Leicestershire Police, in collaboration with Nottinghamshire Police, continue to investigate Ruben's activities, reaching out to schools and youth organizations he was associated with over the past two decades.
What this might mean
The sentencing of Jon Ruben marks a significant step in addressing the heinous crimes committed under the guise of religious leadership. However, the ongoing investigation suggests that further revelations may emerge, potentially implicating other individuals or uncovering additional victims. Legal experts emphasize the importance of robust child protection measures in religious and community settings to prevent such abuses of trust. The case also highlights the need for increased vigilance and transparency within organizations that work with children, ensuring that safeguarding protocols are not only in place but actively enforced.
