Person admits sexual crimes targeting children at summer camp
An individual who laced treats with tranquilliser and distributed them to youngsters at a summer camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual offenses against two young males who were nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight minors and a grown-up became sick at the facility in July.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the judicial center on recently.
Yet, he denied one particular crime he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old child.
The accused was held in detention prior to a subsequent court date on late November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, outlined Ruben's offending to the court.
She said his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a youth camp which he ran.
The man conducted a "sweet game" with the children, the prosecutor said, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were settling down and request they to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had engaged in this activity with the boys "for many years", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She said the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had suspicions in July 2025.
The legal representative continued: "Recently" his family member had concerns about the situation, for good reason.
"They resolved" to investigate in the individual's items."
The prosecutor stated objects including lubricant, ointment and injection devices were found, and his family member alerted the authorities about his worries.
She explained the defendant proceeded to engage in the "sweet game" with six youngsters that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the following morning.
"The police had not gone out by that stage," she continued.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was reviewing the police response of the incident.
The prosecutor stated the children were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson contacted the police a second time.
She explained the defendant then played the "sweet game" in a space of five youngsters.
