🔗 Share this article

An individual who laced sweets with tranquilliser and gave them to youngsters at a summer program in Leicestershire has admitted sexual offences against two young males aged nine and 10.

Jon Ruben was detained after eight youngsters and a grown-up experienced illness at the facility in the summer month.

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

Nevertheless, he denied a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.

Ruben was kept in jail before a additional proceeding on late November.

'Candy game'

The legal representative, handling the case, described Ruben's offending to the judicial body.

She stated his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a youth camp which he managed.

Ruben played a "candy game" with the children, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to consume candy "as quickly as they can".

She informed the proceedings the defendant had played this game with the children "repeatedly", and children had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.

She stated the defendant had been able to explain this over a long period as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had worries in summer 2025.

Mrs Prior KC stated further: "In the summer" his stepson had concerns about what was going on, justifiably.

"They decided to have a look in the individual's items."

Mrs Prior KC explained items including lubricant, petroleum jelly and syringes were discovered, and his family member alerted the police about his concerns.

She stated Ruben continued to conduct the "sweet game" with six youngsters that time - July 26th - and they were all sick the subsequent day.

"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that stage," she added.

The oversight body, the investigative body, had stated that it was investigating the police response of the situation.

Mrs Prior said the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so the stepson called the authorities once more.

She stated the man then conducted the "sweet game" in a area of five minors.