Man admits sex offences against young males at youth camp
An individual who laced candy with sleeping medication and provided them to minors at a youth camp in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two boys who were between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight children and one adult became sick at Stathern Lodge in July.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
Yet, he denied one particular crime he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was held in detention before a subsequent court date on late November.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, detailed Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She stated his targets were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer program which he ran.
The man played a "treat game" with the children, Mrs Prior said, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and ask them to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had played this game with the young males "repeatedly", and children had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She stated the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had concerns in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "In the summer" his stepson had worries about what was going on, for good reason.
"They decided to investigate in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel stated objects including baby oil, petroleum jelly and injection devices were found, and his stepson contacted the law enforcement about his worries.
She stated Ruben proceeded to conduct the "treat game" with six youngsters that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the next day.
"Authorities" had not responded by that point," she stated further.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, had stated that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
The prosecutor explained the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so the family member notified the authorities once more.
She stated the defendant then engaged in the "candy game" in a space of five youngsters.