Man confesses to sexual crimes targeting young males at summer program
An individual who laced candy with sleeping medication and gave them to youngsters at a summer program in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two children aged nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight children and an older person experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
Nevertheless, he denied a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was held in detention prior to a subsequent court date on late November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, outlined the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She explained his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer program which he managed.
The man played a "candy game" with the children, the legal counsel said, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to consume candy "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had engaged in this activity with the young males "for many years", and minors had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She explained the man had been able to explain this repeatedly as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had worries in summer 2025.
The prosecutor added: "In the summer" his family member had suspicions about the situation, with valid cause.
"They chose" to have a look in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel stated objects including infant oil, Vaseline and syringes were located, and his stepson contacted the authorities about his concerns.
She said the man proceeded to engage in the "candy game" with six boys that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Authorities" had not responded by that stage," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, previously told that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
The prosecutor said the minors were struggling to walk due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson called the authorities again.
She explained the defendant then engaged in the "candy game" in a area of five minors.
