Individual admits sexual offenses against boys at youth camp
An individual who contaminated sweets with sleeping medication and provided them to children at a youth camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two boys both nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight youngsters and one adult fell ill at the location in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from that region, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
However, he denied one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was against a young boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody before a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, detailed Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She explained his victims were under-privileged children who were attending a summer program which he managed.
The man conducted a "treat game" with the children, the prosecutor explained, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and request they to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She told the court the man had played this game with the children "repeatedly", and minors had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She explained the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had concerns in summer 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "Recently" his stepchild had concerns about the activities, justifiably.
"They resolved" to have a look in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor said materials including baby oil, Vaseline and medical needles were located, and his stepchild notified the law enforcement about his concerns.
She said Ruben continued to conduct the "treat game" with six children that night - that Saturday - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"The police had not gone out by that stage," she stated further.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
The legal representative stated the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the stepson notified the authorities again.
She stated the man then conducted the "candy game" in a space of five youngsters.