Person confesses to sex offences involving young males at youth camp
A person who laced treats with sleeping medication and gave them to minors at a summer program in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offenses against two boys both nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight minors and one adult fell ill at Stathern Lodge in July.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
Yet, he denied one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was against a young boy.
The accused was remanded in custody prior to a further hearing on November 28th.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, described the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She stated his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a summer camp which he operated.
The man conducted a "sweet game" with the children, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings the man had engaged in this activity with the boys "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She stated the man had been capable of justifying this for many years as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had worries in summer 2025.
The legal representative continued: "In the summer" his stepson had suspicions about what was going on, justifiably.
"They chose" to have a look in the individual's items."
The prosecutor explained objects including infant oil, Vaseline and medical needles were found, and his stepson notified the police about his worries.
She explained Ruben went on to play the "candy game" with six boys that evening - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"The police had not arrived by that stage," she stated further.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was investigating the police response of the events.
The legal representative stated the children were struggling to walk due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson contacted the police a second time.
She said the defendant then engaged in the "candy game" in a area of five children.
