Individual admits sex offences targeting children at youth camp
An individual who contaminated sweets with sedative and provided them to youngsters at a summer program in the area has confessed to sexual crimes against two young males aged nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight minors and a grown-up fell ill at the location in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Nevertheless, he denied one particular crime he was accused of, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was kept in jail before a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, described Ruben's offending to the court.
She stated his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer camp which he managed.
Ruben conducted a "candy game" with the minors, the legal counsel said, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and tell them to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She told the court the defendant had conducted this practice with the young males "over an extended period", and minors had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She stated the defendant had been able to explain this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had concerns in July 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "Recently" his family member had concerns about the activities, justifiably.
"They decided to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC explained materials including lubricant, ointment and syringes were discovered, and his stepson notified the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She stated Ruben continued to engage in the "treat game" with six youngsters that time - that Saturday - and they were all ill the next day.
"The police had not responded by that point," she added.
The oversight body, the investigative body, had stated that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
The legal representative explained the minors were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so the stepson notified the police a second time.
She said Ruben then engaged in the "sweet game" in a area of five minors.
