Man admits sexual crimes targeting young males at summer program
A man who laced candy with tranquilliser and gave them to minors at a summer camp in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two young males who were between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight minors and an older person fell ill at the location in July.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit one particular crime he was facing, which was involving a young boy.
Ruben was kept in jail ahead of a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, detailed the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She said his targets were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer camp which he managed.
Ruben engaged in a "treat game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel stated, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and request they to eat sweets "rapidly".
She told the court Ruben had engaged in this activity with the young males "for many years", and minors had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She said the defendant had been capable of justifying this for many years as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had suspicions in July 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "Recently" his stepchild had suspicions about what was going on, for good reason.
"They decided to examine in the individual's items."
The legal counsel explained materials including infant oil, petroleum jelly and injection devices were found, and his stepson contacted the law enforcement about his worries.
She explained the defendant went on to conduct the "sweet game" with six boys that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the next day.
"The police had not arrived by that stage," she added.
The oversight body, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
Mrs Prior said the minors were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the family member called the authorities once more.
She explained Ruben then played the "candy game" in a space of five children.