Retired vet jailed for drugging and sexually abusing children at summer camp

Jon Ruben was sentenced to 23 years and 10 months after admitting he drugged boys with sedative‑laced sweets and sexually abused them at a summer camp; police say the sedatives were sourced online and an investigation into wider offending is ongoing.

A retired veterinarian, Jon Ruben, has been sentenced after admitting offences involving drugging and sexually abusing children at a summer camp. A court heard he used sweet treats laced with sedatives obtained online to stupefy some boys before offending. He was sentenced at Leicester Crown Court to 23 years and 10 months in prison, with an extended licence period of eight years. Police describe the investigation as ongoing and have launched a multi-agency review. Key facts: - Jon Ruben pleaded guilty to offences including assault of a child by penetration, sexual assault, multiple counts of child cruelty, making indecent images and drugs offences. - The court heard he injected crushed sedatives into sweets that he had obtained via the dark web and used veterinary knowledge when preparing doses, according to prosecutors. - He was sentenced to 23 years and 10 months imprisonment, with an extended licence period of eight years. - Leicestershire Police say they have opened further enquiries, set up a hotline for other possible victims and begun a multi-agency review to examine background checks and wider offending. Summary: The sentence reflects the criminal findings and victims and families described significant and long‑lasting impact. Police continue to investigate and a multi‑agency review has been launched to establish the full extent of any further offending.