Man confesses to sex offences involving young males at youth camp
A person who spiked sweets with sleeping medication and provided them to minors at a youth camp in the region has confessed to sexual crimes against two boys aged between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight minors and one adult experienced illness at the facility in July.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at the courthouse on recently.
However, he denied one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was concerning a young boy.
The defendant was held in detention ahead of a further hearing on late November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, described Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She said his those affected were under-privileged children who were attending a summer program which he ran.
Ruben played a "treat game" with the children, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were settling down and request they to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the man had engaged in this activity with the children "over an extended period", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She said Ruben had been able to explain this repeatedly as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had concerns in summer 2025.
The prosecutor added: "In the summer" his family member had concerns about what was going on, justifiably.
"They chose" to examine in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC stated materials including lubricant, petroleum jelly and injection devices were found, and his family member alerted the police about his worries.
She said the man went on to play the "treat game" with six boys that time - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that point," she added.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
The legal representative explained the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the stepson notified the police a second time.
She stated Ruben then played the "sweet game" in a room of five minors.
