Person admits sex offences targeting young males at summer camp
An individual who contaminated treats with tranquilliser and gave them to minors at a youth camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offences against two children both between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight children and an older person became sick at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the courthouse on Friday.
However, he refused to admit one particular crime he was accused of, which was involving a young boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody before a further hearing on late November.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, handling the case, described Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She stated his victims were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer program which he operated.
The man conducted a "candy game" with the minors, the legal counsel stated, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and tell them to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had played this game with the children "for many years", and children had previously become sick the next day.
She said the defendant had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had concerns in summer 2025.
The legal representative added: "In the summer" his stepchild had concerns about the situation, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC said objects including lubricant, Vaseline and syringes were discovered, and his stepchild notified the law enforcement about his concerns.
She explained Ruben went on to play the "candy game" with six children that night - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that time," she stated further.
The oversight body, the investigative body, had stated that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
The legal representative stated the children were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson notified the police once more.
She stated the man then conducted the "candy game" in a area of five youngsters.
