Man confesses to sex offences involving children at youth camp
A person who laced sweets with sleeping medication and distributed them to youngsters at a summer camp in the region has confessed to sexual crimes against two young males aged nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight youngsters and one adult became sick at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
Nevertheless, he denied one particular crime he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was remanded in custody prior to a further hearing on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, handling the case, detailed the defendant's actions to the court.
She said his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer program which he operated.
Ruben conducted a "candy game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel stated, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and tell them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She told the court the man had engaged in this activity with the children "over an extended period", and minors had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She stated the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had worries in recently.
The legal representative stated further: "This year his family member had worries about the activities, for good reason.
"They chose" to examine in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC explained objects including baby oil, petroleum jelly and syringes were located, and his family member alerted the authorities about his concerns.
She stated Ruben went on to engage in the "candy game" with six boys that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that stage," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, previously told that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the incident.
The prosecutor stated the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson contacted the law enforcement once more.
She said Ruben then engaged in the "sweet game" in a space of five minors.
