Individual confesses to sexual crimes involving children at youth camp
A person who laced sweets with sedative and distributed them to children at a youth camp in the region has confessed to sexual offenses against two young males who were nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight children and a grown-up fell ill at Stathern Lodge in July.
The senior citizen, from that region, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he stood at the judicial center on recently.
However, he disputed one particular crime he was accused of, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was kept in jail before a further hearing on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, described Ruben's offending to the court.
She stated his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer program which he managed.
The man played a "candy game" with the children, the legal counsel explained, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and tell them to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge Ruben had engaged in this activity with the boys "repeatedly", and minors had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She stated the defendant had been able to explain this for many years as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had suspicions in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "This year his stepchild had concerns about the activities, for good reason.
"They resolved" to have a look in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC stated objects including baby oil, ointment and medical needles were found, and his stepchild contacted the authorities about his suspicions.
She explained the defendant proceeded to engage in the "sweet game" with six children that night - that Saturday - and they were all sick the next day.
"The police had not responded by that time," she continued.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
Mrs Prior said the minors were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so the stepson called the authorities once more.
She stated the man then played the "treat game" in a space of five minors.
