Person admits sexual offenses targeting boys at summer program
An individual who laced treats with sedative and distributed them to minors at a summer program in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offenses against two boys aged nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight youngsters and a grown-up became sick at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the courthouse on Friday.
However, he refused to admit one particular crime he was accused of, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
The accused was remanded in custody ahead of a further hearing on late November.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, outlined Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She said his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a youth camp which he operated.
The man played a "sweet game" with the children, Mrs Prior said, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She told the court Ruben had played this game with the children "repeatedly", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She stated the defendant had been able to explain this over a long period as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had worries in recently.
The prosecutor added: "This year his stepchild had concerns about what was going on, justifiably.
"They resolved" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel said objects including infant oil, ointment and injection devices were found, and his stepson alerted the authorities about his suspicions.
She said the man proceeded to play the "candy game" with six children that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not responded by that time," she added.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was reviewing the police response of the situation.
Mrs Prior explained the minors were struggling to walk due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson notified the authorities a second time.
She explained the man then played the "sweet game" in a room of five minors.