Individual pleads guilty to sexual offenses targeting children at summer camp
A man who laced sweets with sedative and provided them to minors at a summer camp in the region has confessed to sexual offenses against two boys aged nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight minors and one adult experienced illness at the facility in July.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at the judicial center on Friday.
Yet, he denied one particular crime he was charged with, which was concerning a young boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody prior to a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, outlined the defendant's actions to the court.
She explained his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a youth camp which he ran.
Ruben engaged in a "candy game" with the children, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were settling down and ask them to eat sweets "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings the man had engaged in this activity with the young males "for many years", and youngsters had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She explained the defendant had been able to explain this over a long period as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had suspicions in summer 2025.
The legal representative continued: "This year his family member had concerns about the situation, with valid cause.
"They chose" to examine in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel stated objects including infant oil, petroleum jelly and syringes were discovered, and his family member notified the police about his suspicions.
She explained the man proceeded to play the "candy game" with six youngsters that evening - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that stage," she added.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, 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 stepson notified the authorities a second time.
She explained Ruben then played the "treat game" in a room of five youngsters.
