Man pleads guilty to sex offences against young males at summer camp
An individual who spiked sweets with sleeping medication and provided them to children at a summer program in the area has confessed to sexual crimes against two boys who were nine and ten years old.
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 Friday.
However, he disputed one particular crime he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was remanded in custody before a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, detailed the criminal behavior to the court.
She stated his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer program which he operated.
The man engaged in a "treat game" with the minors, the legal counsel stated, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and request they to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She told the court Ruben had conducted this practice with the young males "over an extended period", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She stated the man had been able to explain this for many years as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had concerns in summer 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "This year his stepson had worries about the activities, for good reason.
"They resolved" to have a look in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC explained objects including lubricant, ointment and injection devices were located, and his stepchild contacted the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She said Ruben proceeded to conduct the "candy game" with six youngsters that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the next day.
"The police had not responded by that time," she added.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, had stated that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
The legal representative explained the minors were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the stepson notified the police once more.
She explained the man then played the "treat game" in a area of five youngsters.
