Individual pleads guilty to sexual offenses targeting boys at summer program
An individual who laced candy with sedative and gave them to minors at a summer program in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two young males both nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight youngsters and an older person became sick at Stathern Lodge in July.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Nevertheless, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was against a young boy.
The accused was held in detention ahead of a further hearing on 28 November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, detailed Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She said his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer program which he managed.
The man conducted a "treat game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel stated, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge the man had engaged in this activity with the young males "for many years", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She stated Ruben had been able to explain this over a long period as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had worries in summer 2025.
The legal representative continued: "In the summer" his stepchild had worries about the situation, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to have a look in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC said items including lubricant, petroleum jelly and syringes were found, and his stepson notified the police about his worries.
She explained Ruben proceeded to play the "treat game" with six youngsters that evening - that Saturday - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that point," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the events.
The prosecutor stated the minors were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the stepson contacted the police a second time.
She stated the man then played the "candy game" in a area of five children.
