Man pleads guilty to sexual offenses against young males at summer program
A person who spiked sweets with sleeping medication and gave them to minors at a youth camp in the region has admitted sexual offences against two boys who were nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight children and an older person experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
Nevertheless, he denied a single sexual charge he was facing, which was against a young boy.
Ruben was held in detention before a subsequent court date on late November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, outlined Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She stated his targets were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer program which he ran.
The man played a "treat game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel explained, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were settling down and ask them to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She told the court the defendant had engaged in this activity with the boys "for many years", and youngsters had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She explained the man had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had concerns in summer 2025.
The legal representative continued: "In the summer" his stepson had concerns about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor stated objects including lubricant, ointment and medical needles were located, and his stepson notified the authorities about his suspicions.
She explained the defendant proceeded to engage in the "treat game" with six boys that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that stage," she added.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, previously told that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the events.
The legal representative said the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson contacted the police once more.
She explained the man then played the "candy game" in a space of five minors.