Individual pleads guilty to sexual crimes targeting young males at summer program
An individual who spiked candy with sleeping medication and provided them to minors at a summer camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two children who were nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight minors and an older person became sick at the facility in July.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
However, he denied one particular crime he was charged with, which was against a young boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody prior to a additional proceeding on late November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, detailed Ruben's offending to the court.
She stated his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a summer camp which he ran.
The man conducted a "treat game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor explained, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She told the court Ruben had played this game with the children "for many years", and youngsters had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She explained the defendant had been capable of justifying this for many years as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had worries in summer 2025.
The legal representative added: "In the summer" his family member had concerns about the situation, with valid cause.
"They decided to examine in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC said items including baby oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were found, and his stepson alerted the authorities about his concerns.
She stated the man went on to engage in the "sweet game" with six children that night - that Saturday - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"The police had not responded by that point," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was examining the police response of the events.
Mrs Prior stated the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so the stepson called the police a second time.
She stated Ruben then played the "candy game" in a area of five youngsters.
