Person pleads guilty to sexual offenses involving young males at summer program
A person who contaminated sweets with sedative and distributed them to youngsters at a youth camp in the area has admitted sexual offences against two young males who were nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight children and a grown-up fell ill at the location in July.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
However, he denied one particular crime he was accused of, which was involving a young boy.
Ruben was held in detention before a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, described Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She stated his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a youth camp which he managed.
The man conducted a "candy game" with the children, the legal counsel stated, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and ask them to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge Ruben had engaged in this activity with the children "for many years", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She stated the man had been able to explain this over a long period as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had suspicions in summer 2025.
The prosecutor added: "This year his stepson had concerns about the activities, with valid cause.
"They chose" to have a look in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC explained items including baby oil, petroleum jelly and syringes were located, and his stepchild notified the police about his concerns.
She stated Ruben proceeded to play the "candy game" with six youngsters that time - that Saturday - and they were all ill the following morning.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that time," she continued.
The oversight body, the investigative body, had stated that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
The prosecutor stated the minors were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson contacted the law enforcement again.
She explained the defendant then engaged in the "treat game" in a room of five youngsters.
