Person pleads guilty to sexual crimes targeting young males at youth camp
A man who laced candy with sedative and gave them to youngsters at a summer program in the area has confessed to sexual offences against two children who were nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight children and one adult experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Yet, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was kept in jail before a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, described Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She stated his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer camp which he managed.
Ruben conducted a "treat game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor said, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and request they to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She told the court the defendant had engaged in this activity with the boys "repeatedly", and children had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She stated the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had suspicions in recently.
The prosecutor continued: "This year his family member had suspicions about the activities, justifiably.
"They resolved" to investigate in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC stated materials including lubricant, Vaseline and injection devices were found, and his stepson contacted the police about his suspicions.
She said the defendant went on to engage in the "candy game" with six boys that night - July 26th - and they were all ill the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that time," she continued.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was examining law enforcement's management of the situation.
Mrs Prior stated the children were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the family member called the police once more.
She stated the defendant then engaged in the "treat game" in a room of five minors.
