A 76-year-old summer camp leader from the Midlands has been remanded in custody after admitting to drugging children with sedative-laced sweets in what he called a "sweet game" that led to multiple hospitalisations.
The Disturbing Crimes Unveiled
Jon Ruben, a former veterinarian from Ruddington, Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to multiple serious offences including two counts of sexual assault of a child under 13, eight counts of child cruelty, three counts of making indecent images of children and four drugs charges at Leicester Crown Court.
The court heard how Ruben had been running holiday camps for at least 27 years, with a long history of children feeling unwell during their stays. The most recent incidents occurred at a summer camp held at rented premises near Stathern, Leicestershire, last summer.
The Twisted 'Sweet Game'
Prosecutor Mary Prior KC revealed that Ruben would play what he called a "sweet game" with children, entering their bedrooms and challenging them to eat extremely sticky sweets as quickly as possible while insisting they chew them thoroughly.
Multiple children became seriously ill after participating in this game, experiencing symptoms including difficulty walking, slurred speech, vomiting and being unable to wake up. On one occasion, some children "couldn't be roused at all" and one was found unconscious.
Forensic analysis revealed that Ruben, using his veterinary knowledge, had been crushing drugs and injecting them into sweets. Liquid Xanax, a powerful tranquiliser, was identified in some of the victims.
Discovery and Aftermath
The investigation began when Ruben's stepson discovered suspicious items including baby oil, syringes containing white powder and other concerning materials at the camp premises. He immediately contacted police, describing his concerns by saying he "thought this really is something".
A total of eight children required hospital treatment following their exposure to the drugged sweets. Ms Prior warned that the consequences could have included heart damage or, in the worst-case scenario, death.
The indecent images charges related to 50 category A videos of children, 22 category B videos and seven category C videos created between August 2023 and June 2025, though none featured children from the summer camp.
Temporary Detective Chief Inspector Neil Holden described the case as "a horrific, complex and emotional investigation involving multiple young, innocent, vulnerable victims and a man who committed the vilest crimes".
Ruben has been remanded in custody and will appear again at Leicester Crown Court on November 28, where prosecutors will decide whether to proceed with one additional charge of sexual assault that he denied.
