Man admits sex offences involving children at youth camp
An individual who spiked sweets with sedative and distributed them to minors at a youth camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two children aged between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight children and an older person experienced illness at the facility in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
Yet, he denied a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was held in detention ahead of a further hearing on late November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, described the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She explained his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a youth camp which he managed.
The man played a "sweet game" with the children, the legal counsel said, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and request they to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge Ruben had conducted this practice with the boys "repeatedly", and children had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She explained the defendant had been able to explain this over a long period as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had concerns in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "In the summer" his family member had concerns about the activities, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel said objects including infant oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were found, and his stepson alerted the authorities about his concerns.
She said the man continued to engage in the "candy game" with six boys that night - July 26th - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that stage," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was examining the police response of the incident.
The prosecutor explained the minors were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the family member notified the police once more.
She stated the defendant then played the "sweet game" in a room of five minors.
