Individual pleads guilty to sex offences targeting children at summer program
A man who laced treats with tranquilliser and provided them to minors at a summer camp in the region has confessed to sexual offenses against two boys both nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight children and an older person experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in July.
The elderly man, from that region, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
However, he denied a single sexual charge he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was remanded in custody before a subsequent court date on late November.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, detailed the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She explained his targets were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer program which he managed.
Ruben played a "treat game" with the minors, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and request they to consume candy "rapidly".
She told the court the defendant had engaged in this activity with the children "repeatedly", and minors had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She stated Ruben had been able to explain this over a long period as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had worries in summer 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "In the summer" his stepson had suspicions about what was going on, justifiably.
"They resolved" to examine in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC stated items including lubricant, ointment and injection devices were discovered, and his stepson alerted the authorities about his suspicions.
She explained Ruben went on to play the "sweet game" with six youngsters that night - July 26th - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not responded by that point," she added.
The oversight body, the investigative body, previously told that it was examining the police response of the incident.
Mrs Prior said the minors were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so the family member contacted the authorities a second time.
She said the defendant then engaged in the "sweet game" in a space of five youngsters.
