Person confesses to sexual offenses involving boys at youth camp

A person who laced candy with tranquilliser and distributed them to youngsters at a youth camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two children who were nine and ten years old.

Jon Ruben was arrested after eight children and an older person became sick at Stathern Lodge in July.

The elderly man, from that region, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on recently.

However, he denied one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old boy.

Ruben was kept in jail ahead of a subsequent court date on late November.

'Treat game'

Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, detailed the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.

She said his those affected were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer camp which he managed.

Ruben conducted a "treat game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor said, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and request they to consume candy "as fast as possible".

She informed the proceedings Ruben had engaged in this activity with the children "over an extended period", and minors had previously fallen ill the following morning.

She said the man had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had worries in recently.

The prosecutor stated further: "Recently" his family member had concerns about what was going on, for good reason.

"They chose" to investigate in the individual's items."

The prosecutor said materials including baby oil, Vaseline and injection devices were discovered, and his stepchild contacted the police about his concerns.

She said Ruben went on to conduct the "candy game" with six children that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the next day.

"Authorities" had not arrived by that point," she stated further.

The regulatory agency, the investigative body, previously told that it was investigating the police response of the incident.

The prosecutor said the minors were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the stepson contacted the police again.

She explained the man then conducted the "treat game" in a area of five minors.