🔗 Share this article

An individual who contaminated sweets with tranquilliser and provided them to minors at a summer camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two boys aged nine and 10.

Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight minors and a grown-up experienced illness at the location in July.

The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.

However, he denied a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was against a young boy.

Ruben was held in detention prior to a additional proceeding on 28 November.

'Candy game'

Mary Prior KC, handling the case, detailed Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.

She explained his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer program which he ran.

The defendant engaged in a "candy game" with the minors, the prosecutor explained, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and request they to consume candy "as fast as possible".

She informed the proceedings the defendant had played this game with the young males "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the next day.

She explained the man had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had suspicions in summer 2025.

The prosecutor stated further: "This year his stepson had suspicions about the situation, justifiably.

"They decided to have a look in the man's possessions."

Mrs Prior KC explained materials including baby oil, Vaseline and syringes were discovered, and his family member alerted the police about his worries.

She stated Ruben went on to engage in the "treat game" with six boys that evening - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the next day.

"Authorities" had not responded by that point," she added.

The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the situation.

The prosecutor said the minors were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the stepson contacted the law enforcement again.

She stated the defendant then conducted the "candy game" in a room of five children.