Man pleads guilty to sexual offenses targeting young males at summer program
A man who spiked candy with sedative and distributed them to children at a summer camp in the region has confessed to sexual offenses against two boys aged nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight minors and a grown-up became sick at Stathern Lodge in July.
The elderly man, from that region, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he stood at the judicial center on recently.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was held in detention before a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, handling the case, detailed Ruben's offending to the court.
She said his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a youth camp which he operated.
Ruben engaged in a "sweet game" with the children, the prosecutor explained, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and request they to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge Ruben had conducted this practice with the boys "over an extended period", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She stated the man had been able to explain this over a long period as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had worries in summer 2025.
The legal representative added: "In the summer" his family member had concerns about the activities, justifiably.
"They decided to have a look in the individual's items."
The legal counsel stated objects including baby oil, Vaseline and injection devices were found, and his stepson notified the police about his suspicions.
She said the defendant proceeded to play the "treat game" with six boys that time - that Saturday - and they were all ill the next day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that stage," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, previously told that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
The prosecutor explained the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so the stepson called the law enforcement a second time.
She explained Ruben then conducted the "candy game" in a room of five children.
