Man pleads guilty to sexual offenses targeting children at youth camp
An individual who contaminated treats with sleeping medication and provided them to minors at a summer program in the region has admitted sexual crimes against two boys both nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight minors and an older person became sick at the facility in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was facing, which was against a young boy.
The defendant was kept in jail before a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, outlined the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She explained his victims were under-privileged children who were attending a youth camp which he operated.
The defendant played a "treat game" with the children, Mrs Prior said, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She stated to the judge the man had conducted this practice with the boys "over an extended period", and minors had previously become sick the next day.
She explained the man had been able to explain this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had worries in July 2025.
The prosecutor added: "This year his family member had worries about the situation, for good reason.
"They resolved" to have a look in the individual's items."
The prosecutor stated objects including lubricant, Vaseline and syringes were found, and his family member notified the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She said the man went on to conduct the "sweet game" with six youngsters that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the next day.
"The police had not arrived by that time," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was examining the police response of the situation.
The prosecutor said the children were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson notified the police again.
She explained the defendant then conducted the "treat game" in a space of five children.
