A chilling discovery unfolded when a young boy, increasingly uneasy about his stepfather’s behavior, began to search his belongings. What he found – baby oil, Vaseline, and syringes – ignited a horrifying investigation that would reveal decades of hidden abuse.
Jon Ruben now faces a multitude of charges relating to child cruelty, stemming from allegations that first led to his arrest in July. The details emerging in court paint a disturbing picture of systematic exploitation and harm inflicted upon vulnerable children.
Ruben has admitted to a shocking array of offenses, including sexual assault and assault by penetration of a child under thirteen. He also pleaded guilty to eight counts of child cruelty, three counts of possessing indecent images of children, and four separate drug charges, revealing a complex web of depravity.
The court heard testimony regarding Ruben’s long-running holiday camp, a place where, for at least 27 years, a disturbing pattern of children falling ill has been reported. This unsettling history raises questions about the extent of the abuse and the number of potential victims.
While the rented property, Stathern Lodge, was separate from the camp itself, Ruben was entrusted with the care of young people at that location. This detail underscores the calculated nature of his actions and the positions of trust he exploited.
Ruben is currently being held in custody and will appear before the court again on November 28th via video link from prison. The legal proceedings promise to uncover further details of this deeply disturbing case and bring a measure of justice to the victims.
