Jon Ruben is in prison after being sentenced to 23 years and ten months at Leicester Crown Court on 6 February 2026, with an additional eight-year extended licence period. The 76-year-old former vet and church-goer ran a children’s summer camp at Stathern Lodge in Leicestershire for 27 years and used his position of trust to drug and sexually abuse children in his care. He admitted to 17 offences, including sexual assault of a child, child cruelty, and drugs charges. His case shocked the East Midlands and drew national attention.

Who Is Jon Ruben?

Jon Ruben is a 76-year-old former veterinary professional and practising Christian from the East Midlands who operated a summer camp called Stathern Lodge in Leicestershire for 27 years. He presented himself as a trusted community figure, combining his professional background and religious identity to build relationships with families who sent their children to his camp. This trusted position was fundamental to how he was able to carry out his offending over such an extended period.

Ruben pleaded guilty to all 17 offences with which he was charged, meaning there was no contested trial. His admissions allowed the court to hear the full scope of his offending from the outset. Despite his age, the court gave him a substantial sentence reflecting the gravity of his crimes.

What Did Jon Ruben Do?

Jon Ruben drugged children at his summer camp by lacing sweets with liquid Xanax, a powerful sedative. He then sexually abused the children he had rendered vulnerable through the drugs. The court heard that he played a so-called “sweet game” with children, using treats as the vehicle for the drugs. This premeditated approach — obtaining and using a controlled substance specifically to facilitate abuse — demonstrated a high degree of planning and callousness.

His 17 offences included sexual assault of a child under 13, assault of a child under 13 by penetration, eight counts of child cruelty, three counts of making indecent images of children, and four drugs charges. The range of offences reflects both the direct abuse and the wider harm caused through recording victims and possessing Class C drugs.

How Was He Caught?

The investigation was triggered when Ruben’s stepson raised concerns with his partner after discovering suspicious items at the camp, including baby oil, syringes containing white powder, and sweets that appeared to have been tampered with. This discovery prompted a report to the police, which led to a full investigation by Leicestershire Police and Nottinghamshire Police, who worked jointly on the case.

Forensic analysis confirmed the presence of liquid Xanax in the sweets, corroborating what victims described. The investigation involved interviewing multiple victims who had attended the camp over the years, and the evidence gathered led to Ruben’s guilty pleas to all charges. Police commended the bravery of all those who came forward during the investigation.

What Was His Sentence?

Jon Ruben was sentenced on 6 February 2026 to 23 years and ten months in prison, plus an extended licence period of eight years — giving a combined sentence of over 31 years. The extended licence period means that even after he completes the custodial portion of his sentence, he will be subject to strict supervision in the community for a further eight years.

At 76 years old at the time of sentencing, Ruben would be required to serve at least half of the custodial sentence before being considered for release. Given his age, it is possible that he will spend the remainder of his life in prison. For details on how extended sentences work in England and Wales, see our guide to UK prison sentencing guidelines. Any future application for parole would be considered by the UK Parole Board.

Impact on Victims

The sentencing judge described the impact of Jon Ruben’s abuse as “simply devastating” on his victims. Families of those who attended the camp spoke publicly about how the revelations had destroyed their trust and shattered their confidence in community institutions. Victims described lives fundamentally altered by what they had experienced, with the abuse leaving lasting psychological scars.

The case also raised questions about safeguarding in unregulated children’s activity settings. In the aftermath of the conviction, both Leicestershire Police and the Crown Prosecution Service emphasised the courage shown by victims who came forward and stressed the importance of reporting suspected child abuse. For families who have a loved one in prison and wish to maintain contact, information on how to do so is available in our guide to booking a prison visit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Jon Ruben in prison?

Jon Ruben is in prison for drugging children with liquid Xanax hidden in sweets and then sexually abusing them at the summer camp he ran in Leicestershire. He pleaded guilty to 17 offences including sexual assault of a child, assault by penetration of a child, child cruelty, making indecent images of children, and drugs charges.

How long is Jon Ruben’s prison sentence?

Jon Ruben was sentenced to 23 years and 10 months in prison plus an 8-year extended licence period — a combined sentence of over 31 years. He was sentenced at Leicester Crown Court on 6 February 2026. At the age of 76 at sentencing, he may spend the rest of his life in custody.

How did Jon Ruben drug children?

Jon Ruben drugged children by lacing sweets with liquid Xanax, a Class C controlled drug with powerful sedative properties. He introduced this as a so-called sweet game at his summer camp. Forensic analysis confirmed the presence of the drug in sweets found at the camp during the police investigation.

Where did Jon Ruben’s offending take place?

Jon Ruben carried out his offending at Stathern Lodge, a children’s summer camp in Leicestershire that he had run for 27 years. The camp was a trusted community facility and his professional background as a former vet combined with his involvement in his local church helped him maintain the trust of families over many years.

Did Jon Ruben go to trial?

No. Jon Ruben did not go to trial. He pleaded guilty to all 17 offences with which he was charged. His guilty pleas meant that victims did not have to give evidence at a contested trial, though this did not diminish the severity of the sentence handed down by the judge at Leicester Crown Court.