Individual confesses to sexual offenses against boys at summer program
A man who contaminated sweets with tranquilliser and gave them to minors at a summer camp in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two children both nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight children and one adult fell ill at the facility in July.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Nevertheless, he disputed a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was against a young boy.
The defendant was held in detention before a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, described the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She stated his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a youth camp which he managed.
The defendant conducted 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 tell them to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings the man had played this game with the boys "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She said Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had concerns in recently.
The prosecutor stated further: "This year his stepchild had suspicions about the situation, justifiably.
"They resolved" to have a look in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel explained objects including lubricant, ointment and injection devices were discovered, and his family member alerted the law enforcement about his worries.
She stated the defendant went on to play the "candy game" with six youngsters that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the following morning.
"The police had not gone out by that point," she continued.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was examining law enforcement's management of the incident.
The legal representative explained the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson notified the police once more.
She explained Ruben then engaged in the "candy game" in a space of five children.
