Individual confesses to sexual offenses against boys at youth camp
A man who contaminated treats with sleeping medication and gave them to minors at a summer program in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two children both nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight minors and an older person became sick at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at the judicial center on Friday.
However, he disputed one particular crime he was charged with, which was concerning a young boy.
The accused was kept in jail prior to a further hearing on late November.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, handling the case, described the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She explained his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a summer program which he managed.
Ruben conducted a "treat game" with the children, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were settling down and ask them to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the defendant had played this game with the boys "repeatedly", and minors had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She stated the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had suspicions in recently.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "In the summer" his stepson had suspicions about the situation, justifiably.
"They chose" to have a look in the individual's items."
The prosecutor said objects including baby oil, Vaseline and syringes were found, and his stepchild alerted the authorities about his suspicions.
She said Ruben proceeded to conduct the "candy game" with six youngsters that night - July 26th - and they were all sick the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that point," she continued.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
The legal representative stated the minors were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so the family member called the police a second time.
She said the man then conducted the "sweet game" in a area of five minors.
