Individual confesses to sexual offenses targeting young males at youth camp
A person who contaminated treats with tranquilliser and gave them to youngsters at a summer program in Leicestershire has admitted sexual offenses against two young males aged between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight children and one adult became sick at the location in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was involving a young boy.
Ruben was remanded in custody before a further hearing on November 28th.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, described the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She stated his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a youth camp which he operated.
Ruben engaged in a "candy game" with the minors, the legal counsel stated, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were settling down and request they to ingest treats "rapidly".
She stated to the judge the defendant had engaged in this activity with the children "over an extended period", and children had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She stated the man had been able to explain this for many years as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had worries in summer 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "In the summer" his stepchild had worries about what was going on, justifiably.
"They decided to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel said objects including infant oil, ointment and syringes were discovered, and his family member notified the law enforcement about his worries.
She said Ruben went on to play the "candy game" with six children that time - July 26th - and they were all sick the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that point," she added.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, previously told that it was examining law enforcement's management of the events.
The prosecutor explained the minors were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the family member contacted the police again.
She explained the man then engaged in the "sweet game" in a space of five minors.
