A man who ran a children’s summer camp in Leicestershire has admitted drugging his wife so she would not wake while he sexually abused children.
Jon Ruben, 76, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty at Leicester Crown Court to unlawfully and maliciously administering a noxious substance to his wife, Susan Ruben, between 26 and 29 July last year.
Ruben had previously admitted sexually assaulting two boys and committing child cruelty against six other victims at a summer camp held at Stathern Lodge in Stathern, Leicestershire.
The court heard that Ruben administered temazepam to his wife so she would remain asleep while he carried out the abuse. He had earlier admitted the offence during a voluntary police interview.
Ruben was arrested after eight children and one adult became unwell at the camp in July. Prosecutors said he had laced sweets with tranquillising drugs and encouraged children to eat them quickly as part of what he described as a “sweet game”.
The court was told that Ruben had played the same game with children for many years and that some had previously fallen ill the following morning.
During the hearing, Ruben sobbed in the dock and apologised after entering his guilty plea. Judge Timothy Spencer KC said sentencing would be “a very tough day” for him.
Ruben pleaded guilty in November to 17 offences, including sexual assault of a child under 13, assault by penetration, eight counts of child cruelty, three counts of making indecent images of children, and four drug-related offences.
The court previously heard that Ruben’s stepson raised concerns after finding syringes, white powder, lubricants and other items among his belongings and contacted police.
Prosecutor Mary Prior KC said several children had suffered slurred speech, difficulty walking and extreme drowsiness. Medical tests later found liquid Xanax in some of their systems.
Police analysis of Ruben’s electronic devices uncovered more than 50 Category A indecent images of children, along with further Category B and C material. Investigators said none of the images involved children from the camp.
Leicestershire Police said the owners and operators of Stathern Lodge were independent of those who hired the site and were not connected to the offences.
Ruben is due to be sentenced at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.