Man pleads guilty to sexual offenses against young males at youth camp
A person who laced treats with sedative and gave them to children at a summer camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual crimes against two children both nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight children and a grown-up experienced illness at the facility in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the courthouse on Friday.
Nevertheless, he denied one particular crime he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was remanded in custody prior to a additional proceeding on late November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, described the criminal behavior to the court.
She stated his targets were under-privileged children who were attending a summer camp which he ran.
Ruben played a "sweet game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and request they to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had conducted this practice with the children "repeatedly", and minors had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She said the man had been capable of justifying this for many years as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had suspicions in summer 2025.
The legal representative continued: "This year his stepson had worries about the activities, justifiably.
"They decided to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor stated objects including baby oil, petroleum jelly and syringes were found, and his stepson alerted the authorities about his worries.
She said the defendant proceeded to play the "sweet game" with six boys that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"The police had not responded by that time," she added.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, had stated that it was examining the police response of the events.
Mrs Prior said the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson contacted the authorities again.
She said the defendant then conducted the "sweet game" in a room of five minors.
