Individual confesses to sex offences targeting children at summer program

A man who laced sweets with sedative and gave them to minors at a summer program in the region has admitted sexual crimes against two boys aged between nine and ten.

Jon Ruben was detained after eight minors and one adult became sick at the location in July.

The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on recently.

Nevertheless, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.

The accused was kept in jail before a additional proceeding on 28 November.

'Treat game'

The prosecutor, prosecuting, detailed the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.

She said his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a youth camp which he ran.

The defendant engaged in a "treat game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior said, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and request they to consume candy "as quickly as they can".

She informed the proceedings the man had conducted this practice with the children "repeatedly", and children had previously become sick the subsequent day.

She explained Ruben had been capable of justifying this for many years as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had concerns in recently.

The legal representative continued: "Recently" his stepson had suspicions about what was going on, with valid cause.

"They resolved" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."

The prosecutor explained objects including baby oil, Vaseline and syringes were found, and his stepchild contacted the authorities about his suspicions.

She explained Ruben continued to play the "treat game" with six youngsters that night - that Saturday - and they were all ill the following morning.

"Authorities" had not gone out by that point," she stated further.

The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the incident.

Mrs Prior stated the minors were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the family member notified the police again.

She explained Ruben then engaged in the "candy game" in a space of five children.