Man pleads guilty to sexual offenses targeting boys at youth camp

A person who spiked sweets with sedative and distributed them to minors at a summer camp in the area has confessed to sexual offences against two children who were nine and ten years old.

Jon Ruben was detained after eight youngsters and one adult experienced illness at the facility in the summer month.

The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the judicial center on recently.

Yet, he denied a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was concerning a young boy.

The defendant was remanded in custody before a additional proceeding on late November.

'Sweet game'

The legal representative, presenting evidence, outlined the criminal behavior to the judicial body.

She explained his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer program which he operated.

The defendant conducted a "candy game" with the children, the legal counsel explained, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and request they to consume candy "as fast as possible".

She told the court the man had engaged in this activity with the young males "over an extended period", and minors had earlier experienced illness the following morning.

She explained the man had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had concerns in July 2025.

The legal representative added: "This year his family member had suspicions about what was going on, for good reason.

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

Mrs Prior KC stated objects including infant oil, ointment and syringes were discovered, and his stepson contacted the police about his concerns.

She said the man went on to play the "candy game" with six boys that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the next day.

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

The police watchdog, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the situation.

The legal representative stated the minors were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so the stepson contacted the law enforcement a second time.

She said the defendant then conducted the "treat game" in a area of five minors.