Individual admits sexual crimes targeting young males at summer program
A man who contaminated candy with sleeping medication and distributed them to minors at a summer camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual crimes against two boys aged nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight minors and a grown-up fell ill at the location in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at the courthouse on Friday.
Yet, he denied one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
The accused was held in detention ahead of a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, outlined the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She explained his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a youth camp which he ran.
The defendant engaged in a "treat game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor stated, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were settling down and tell them to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings the man had engaged in this activity with the boys "for many years", and minors had previously become sick the next day.
She explained the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had suspicions in recently.
The legal representative added: "In the summer" his family member had concerns about the activities, justifiably.
"They chose" to investigate in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor stated objects including lubricant, Vaseline and syringes were located, and his stepchild notified the police about his concerns.
She stated Ruben continued to conduct the "treat game" with six youngsters that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the following morning.
"The police had not gone out by that time," she added.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the events.
Mrs Prior explained the children were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson called the police a second time.
She stated Ruben then engaged in the "candy game" in a space of five youngsters.