Person pleads guilty to sexual crimes involving boys at summer program
An individual who spiked sweets with sedative and provided them to youngsters at a summer program in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offences against two boys aged nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight youngsters and a grown-up fell ill at the facility in July.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Yet, he disputed a single sexual charge he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody ahead of a further hearing on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, handling the case, detailed the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She said his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer program which he managed.
The defendant engaged in a "treat game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor explained, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She told the court Ruben had engaged in this activity with the boys "over an extended period", and children had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She said the defendant had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had concerns in July 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "Recently" his family member had worries about what was going on, for good reason.
"They resolved" to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor explained objects including baby oil, ointment and medical needles were found, and his stepchild contacted the police about his concerns.
She stated Ruben proceeded to engage in the "treat game" with six children that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that point," she added.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the situation.
Mrs Prior stated the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so the stepson notified the police a second time.
She stated Ruben then conducted the "candy game" in a area of five minors.
