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A former vet who drugged children with sweets at a summer camp before sexually assaulting them has admitted drugging his wife so she would not wake while the abuse took place.
Jon Ruben had previously admitted sexually assaulting two boys at a summer camp at Stathern Lodge, in Stathern, Leicestershire, and child cruelty towards six other victims.
Ruben, who sobbed in the dock at Leicester Crown Court during his plea hearing on Wednesday, admitted administering a poison or noxious substance, Temazapam, to Susan Ruben between 26 and 29 July last year so she would not wake up while he sexually assaulted the children.
The 76-year-old defendant, who ran a holiday camp for at least 27 years, said “I’m so sorry” after entering his guilty plea.
Ruben, who sat in the dock wearing a blue shirt and beige trousers, laced sweets with tranquillising drugs and attacked two children after playing “a sweet game” with the youngsters.
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The scene outside Stathern Lodge which had been hosting the children’s summer camp (Jacob King/PA Wire)
The court previously heard that several youngsters became ill after playing the game and found it difficult to walk, had slurred speech and could not wake up.
Some children “couldn’t be roused at all” and were vomiting, with one left unconscious.
The defendant’s stepson raised concerns with his partner during the camp after finding baby oil, syringes with white powder in and other items.
Eight children were taken to hospital after a report was made to police on 27 July, and liquid Xanax was found to have been used on some of the victims.
At the time of police attending, Ruben was found to be at a nearby pub with some of the children and was arrested by officers and transported to custody.
The prosecutor Mary Prior KC told the court: “The defendant, for at least 27 years, has run a holiday camp. There is a long history of children feeling sick at the camp over many years.”
Ruben asked police for a voluntary interview when he admitted he drugged his wife.
The rented premises, Stathern Lodge, were not connected to the camp itself, the court heard, and Ruben was in charge of youngsters there, Ms Prior said.
In November, he pleaded guilty to 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 indecent images charges admitted by Ruben related to 50 category A indecent videos of children, 22 Category B videos and seven Category C videos made between August 2023 and June last year.
None of the images concerned relate to children who were at the summer camp.
He is due to be sentenced on Friday for the offences. Judge Timothy Spencer KC told Ruben his sentencing will be a “very tough day in your life” as he wept in the dock.
Temporary Detective Chief Inspector Neil Holden said: “This has been a horrific, complex and emotional investigation involving multiple young, innocent, vulnerable victims and a man who committed the vilest crimes.
“Our focus today must of course remain on the young victims and with the support of partners and dedicated Family Liaison Officers, we have and continue to support their welfare and to ensure their safeguarding going forward.”