Person admits sexual crimes against young males at summer program
A person who contaminated candy with sleeping medication and gave them to children at a summer camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offenses against two young males both between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight children and one adult became sick at the facility in July.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the judicial center on recently.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit one particular crime he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was held in detention prior to a further hearing on 28 November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, outlined the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She stated his victims were under-privileged children who were staying at a youth camp which he operated.
The man engaged in a "candy game" with the minors, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and tell them to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the defendant had conducted this practice with the young males "over an extended period", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She said the man had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had suspicions in July 2025.
The legal representative continued: "This year his stepson had suspicions about what was going on, justifiably.
"They decided to have a look in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor explained materials including lubricant, ointment and syringes were discovered, and his stepchild contacted the police about his worries.
She stated the defendant went on to conduct the "candy game" with six children that night - July 26th - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"The police had not responded by that stage," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, had stated that it was examining the police response of the incident.
The prosecutor stated the youngsters were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the family member called the authorities again.
She stated the defendant then conducted the "treat game" in a space of five minors.