Person pleads guilty to sexual offenses targeting young males at youth camp
A man who spiked candy with sleeping medication and provided them to minors at a summer program in the region has admitted sexual offenses against two boys both nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight children and a grown-up became sick at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The elderly man, from that region, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at the judicial center on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he denied one particular crime he was accused of, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was held in detention prior to a further hearing on November 28th.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, detailed the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She explained his victims were under-privileged children who were staying at a youth camp which he ran.
Ruben played a "candy game" with the minors, the prosecutor stated, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to consume candy "rapidly".
She told the court Ruben had played this game with the children "for many years", and minors had previously fallen ill the next day.
She said Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had suspicions in July 2025.
The legal representative added: "Recently" his family member had worries about what was going on, justifiably.
"They resolved" to investigate in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor said materials including baby oil, petroleum jelly and syringes were discovered, and his stepson notified the police about his concerns.
She stated Ruben went on to engage in the "treat game" with six children that evening - July 26th - and they were all ill the next day.
"The police had not responded by that time," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
The prosecutor stated the minors were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so the stepson called the police again.
She said the man then played the "treat game" in a space of five minors.
