Man admits sexual offenses targeting children at summer program
A man who laced candy with tranquilliser and distributed them to minors at a summer program in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offenses against two young males both nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight minors and an older person became sick at the location in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Nevertheless, he denied a single sexual charge he was facing, which was concerning a young boy.
The defendant was held in detention before a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, detailed Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She explained his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer camp which he ran.
Ruben engaged in a "sweet game" with the minors, the prosecutor stated, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and tell them to eat sweets "rapidly".
She stated to the judge the man had engaged in this activity with the children "for many years", and children had previously become sick the following morning.
She stated the man had been capable of justifying this for many years as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had concerns in July 2025.
The legal representative continued: "In the summer" his stepson had worries about the situation, justifiably.
"They chose" to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel stated items including infant oil, ointment and injection devices were found, and his family member notified the police about his suspicions.
She explained Ruben went on to play the "sweet game" with six boys that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that stage," she added.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the situation.
The prosecutor said the youngsters were struggling to walk due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson called the authorities again.
She said Ruben then engaged in the "sweet game" in a area of five youngsters.
