Overview
- Leicester Crown Court sentenced Jon Ruben, 76, to 23 years and 10 months in custody with an additional eight-year extended licence, and the court found him dangerous under law.
- Ruben laced sweets with sedatives in a timed “sweet game” at Stathern Lodge, targeting boys aged 8 to 11; eight children were hospitalised and some tested positive for liquid Xanax.
- He pleaded guilty to assault by penetration and sexual assault of a child under 13, eight counts of child cruelty, making indecent images of children, drugs offences, and administering temazepam to his wife to prevent detection.
- Prosecutors detailed premeditation, including sedatives bought online, a dosing chart, and the use of veterinary knowledge to calculate doses, with syringes and lubricants recovered after his stepson raised alarms.
- Following sentencing, Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire police say inquiries are ongoing, with outreach to schools and organisations, alongside watchdog and safeguarding partnership reviews.