🔗 Share this article

An individual who laced candy with sleeping medication and gave them to children at a summer camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two young males aged between nine and ten.

Jon Ruben was detained after eight youngsters and a grown-up fell ill at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.

The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on recently.

Nevertheless, he denied one particular crime he was charged with, which was involving a young boy.

The defendant was held in detention before a subsequent court date on 28 November.

'Candy game'

Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, outlined the criminal behavior to the court.

She explained his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a youth camp which he ran.

Ruben played a "treat game" with the children, Mrs Prior said, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and request they to eat sweets "as fast as possible".

She informed the proceedings Ruben had engaged in this activity with the young males "for many years", and youngsters had previously become sick the subsequent day.

She stated Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had worries in July 2025.

Mrs Prior KC continued: "This year his family member had worries about the activities, for good reason.

"They resolved" to examine in the man's possessions."

The legal counsel stated materials including infant oil, Vaseline and syringes were found, and his stepson alerted the law enforcement about his worries.

She stated the man continued to play the "candy game" with six youngsters that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the following morning.

"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that point," she added.

The police watchdog, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was examining the police response of the incident.

Mrs Prior stated the children were struggling to walk due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson called the police again.

She said the man then played the "treat game" in a room of five youngsters.