Man confesses to sexual offenses targeting young males at summer camp
A man who laced sweets with tranquilliser and gave them to minors at a summer camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual crimes against two young males who were between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight children and one adult became sick at the facility in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the courthouse on Friday.
Nevertheless, he disputed a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was involving a young boy.
The accused was kept in jail prior to a further hearing on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, detailed the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She said his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer program which he operated.
The man played a "sweet game" with the minors, the prosecutor explained, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and tell them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She told the court Ruben had engaged in this activity with the boys "for many years", and minors had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She said the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had worries in recently.
The legal representative added: "In the summer" his family member had suspicions about the situation, for good reason.
"They chose" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel said materials including lubricant, Vaseline and syringes were discovered, and his stepchild contacted the police about his concerns.
She explained the defendant continued to play the "sweet game" with six boys that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that time," she added.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the events.
Mrs Prior explained the minors were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the family member called the police once more.
She stated Ruben then played the "treat game" in a room of five minors.
