Jon Ruben, 76, is due to be sentenced at Leicester Crown Court for sex offences against boys at a summer camp in Leicestershire
His offending involved lacing sweets with sedatives before using them in a game with boys at the summer camp
The former vet has pleaded guilty to 18 charges including sexual assault and child cruelty
Ruben cried in court as prosecutors set out how he "used his cloak of Christianity" to abuse boys
His wife, who he drugged to cover up his abuse, reads a statement, describing him as a "sadistic, monstrous paedophile"
Judge Timothy Spencer KC was handed a glass jar of the laced sweets Ruben used
Victim impact statements from shocked and horrified parents are also read out
Warning: Some of the content in this page will contain details that some may find distressing
We are expecting the judge Timothy Spencer KC to start delivering his sentencing remarks here at Leicester Crown Court at about 14:30 GMT before Jon Ruben learns what punishment he will receive.
Image source, GoogleParents of boys who were sexually abused by Ruben also delivered victim impact statements at the sentencing hearing, with one saying their child had resorted to self-harm after learning of what had happened to them.
Another spoke directly to the defendant, saying she wanted him to die.
"You've ruined the lives of these children. You could have killed a child," she said.
"I want you to suffer every day."
Mary Prior KC said the attacks on the children were "premeditated and planned" after buying drugs on the dark web.
She said: "The defendant illegally purchased sedatives which, having carefully researched the quantity he needed, using his skill set as a vet to equate the amount needed to sedate animals, he crushed and injected into specially chosen very sweet, very sticky sweets."
Image source, PA MediaThe court was shown images of a "chocolate poisoning chart" belonging to Ruben which showed how much of the drug was required for a child, an adult, a large dog and a small dog.
He then took the sweets with him to the summer camp and "carefully chose" the boys whom he placed in the rooms closest to his bedroom and away from the other rooms.
As we await the judge's return, here's a reminder of some of the shocking detail the packed courtroom has heard today.
The sentencing hearing started with prosecutor Mary Prior KC laying out how Ruben had targeted young boys in his care.
"Over many years he was a trusted leader of the community and abused his status and position of trust to derive sexual pleasure from young boys," she said.
"His offences, Your Honour, are controlled. They involve planning and significant preparation.
"His choice to retrain later in life gave him access to pre-pubescent children.
"Using the knowledge he gained as a veterinary surgeon, the defendant refined the use of sedatives to facilitate sexual offending on children, and vulnerable children at that."
Timothy Spencer KC gave some insight into the sentence that awaits Ruben at a hearing in December.
He told him: "A significant sentence of imprisonment is coming your way, you understand that?"
Speaking via video-link from HMP Peterborough at the time, Ruben responded: "Yes your honour, I understand that."
The court has broken for lunch, with the judge due to deliver his sentence from 14:30.
Parents of the 76-year-old summer camp leader's victims were told to remain quiet by Judge Timothy Spencer KC as Thomas Schofield KC made his submissions on behalf of the defendant.
"I appreciate you will disagree with every word, but please let him say it," the judge told them.
Jon Ruben was sexually abused himself as a child, his lawyer has told the court.
Thomas Schofield KC added: "Traumas can have an effect by preventing an individual from recognising further risk.
"In my respectful submission, this is quite important given how long this has gone on.
"He suffers from a personality disorder, or autism - or a combination of all of them.
"They don't afford him any excuse, but they may have contributed to his offending or thought processes when it came to offending."
Image source, FacebookAddressing the court, Thomas Schofield KC said the defence rejected that Ruben "used his cloak of Christianity" to abuse boys.
He told the judge Ruben is "the epitome of remorseful".
"The court should approach this case that he was opportunistic, but in certain regards put himself in a position where the opportunities arose," he added.
"[Ruben] pleaded guilty at the first opportunity. He went on to admit further offences in his dealing in prison with professionals that the prosecution could not prove without those submissions.
"He instigated the voluntary interview on 14 January [with regards to drugging his wife] and in my submission, the letter of apology written to the victims is another expression of that genuine remorse."
During her statement to the court, Jon Ruben's wife Susan said she had started divorce proceedings against her husband of 24 years.
She said they were supposed to celebrate their silver wedding anniversary next week - but she commenced divorce proceedings after his arrest.
Susan also condemned his claims that problems with their sex life contributed to his offending.
She added the couple had gone to therapy over their lack of intimacy.
Thomas Schofield KC, Ruben's defence lawyer, has told the court that his client "expects to die in prison".
He said Ruben told him he is a "monster" and "evil".
Schofield has told the judge that his culpability is at the highest level, describing his offending as "sneaky, manipulative and deceitful".
Mitigating, he said the defendant had no previous convictions and was also "devoted to charity".
As Mary Prior KC finishes addressing the court, she asks Judge Timothy Spencer KC to consider that "each parent still considers [Ruben's crimes] to be their fault".
In response, the judge said: "As one mother has said, there's only one person to blame for this, and that is Jon Ruben. That is the reality."
While discussing Ruben's sentence, prosecutor Mary Prior KC said there was "overwhelming evidence that the defendant poses a high risk of serious harm to the public in general and to children in particular".
She said the defendant told a probation officer that he was "unable to manage his sexual interest in pre-pubescent boys without offending".
He confessed to a continuing sexual interest in young boys and said he enjoyed the "risks taken with the safety of young boys when sedating children".
Susan Ruben, the defendant's wife, continues reading her statement to the court.
She said her home was "no longer her sanctuary", and was a "constant reminder of [Ruben]".
"I am constantly thinking about what Jon has done and how this turned my life - and the life of others - upside down," she said.
"I did not choose this path and this is not my life. Jon was a professional man who had upstanding jobs, including being a teacher and a vet.
"To say I shared a life and a home with that man is horrific. It is impossible to put into words how Jon has emotionally impacted my wider family and shattered their trust."
Jon Ruben's wife Susan is now addressing the court.
She said Ruben was "not the man I thought I had married".
"My life has been turned upside down," she said. "I believed we understood and supported each other. I have now found out I have no idea who Jon Ruben is.
"I feel completely betrayed."
She said the camp, which she had been involved with for 34 years, was meant to provide "moments of happiness" for children who would not usually have a chance to have a holiday in the countryside.
"I feel terribly guilty that the offending against the children happened at an event I helped organise," she said. "But it was Jon and Jon alone who was behind what happened.
"In one moment, he was gathering children around the campfire and then the next, he was perpetrating the most awful crimes against the children and myself.
"I am still unable to come to terms with the manipulation from Jon and hiding in plain sight.
"He thinks he is untouchable - and that he can assert control over the others and play games with their bodies and their health.
"It's even worse that he did this against innocent vulnerable children."
Susan said Jon had told officers that issues with their sex life had contributed to his offending.
"He painted himself as a Christian man and a pillar of the community.
"He is in fact a sadistic, monstrous paedophile," she added.
The victim impact statements from parents are continuing.
Another mother of one of the children has just stepped forward to speak to the court.
She said: "When I received the news back in July last year that one of my children had been drugged by Jon Ruben, I was in total shock."
She added her son would not talk to her like he used to.
"I constantly feel depressed, I cry and I can't sleep at night," she added.
"I can't stop thinking about Jon drugging these children. I feel like my son blames me when we all know who is to blame for this, and it's you Jon Ruben.
"You have ruined the lives of these children. They could have died. You disgusting vile man."
Another mother has given a statement to the court, stating it was the third time their son and daughter had gone to the summer camp.
"I've noticed a significant change in my son's behaviours," she said.
"My bubbly, energetic and clever son is withdrawn and confused. It is heartbreaking to see.
"This has impacted our whole family. We've struggled emotionally and it's been overwhelming having officers in our family home.
"My son is having flashbacks, which is making him feel upset.
"I wish that I had never let my children go to the camp."
Gavin Bevis
BBC News
Here's a reminder of the offences Jon Ruben is due to be sentenced for.
The majority relate to the period between 25 and 29 July 2025 - when the Stathern summer camp was running - but the indecent images charges cover the period from 30 August 2023 to 29 June 2025.
The latter offence was carried out against his wife Susan to stop her waking up during the abuse, Leicester Crown Court has heard.
Image source, PA MediaThe mother continued: "The name Jon makes me physically unwell and I've never felt as much hatred as I do for you.
"You have caused the most sleepless nights - but I bet you've slept well.
"You have made me feel like I'm grieving for somebody who is still alive. I can't see my son sleeping without seeing your face.
"We will be living with this for the rest of our lives."
Another parent of one of the victims is now reading her statement out to Leicester Crown Court.
She called the whole experience "excruciating" and is incredibly emotional, having sworn multiple times at Jon Ruben in the dock.
"Creatures like you do not experience any emotions," she said.
"I consider myself to be a strong woman, I have been through some heartbreaking things but what you have done is soul-destroying.
"You stole my son's rights away from him the day you decided to do these unspeakable acts."
Image source, GoogleIn another statement being read out by prosecution barrister Mary Prior KC, a mother of one of the victims said the thought of what her son went through "horrifies" the family.
"I thought it would be good for my son as Jon Ruben reassured he would be cared for," she said.
"Because of the decision I made, I now feel guilty.
"Witnessing our son's changing behaviour has been deeply upsetting.
"Our son is now reluctant participating in activities outside the home.
"The ongoing effects of this incident are long-term and continue to impact our families' wellbeing.
"As a parent I remain deeply concerned about the lasting impact this will have on his development and stability."
