Individual pleads guilty to sexual offenses targeting young males at youth camp
A man who laced candy with sleeping medication and gave them to youngsters at a summer program in the area has confessed to sexual offences against two young males both nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight children and a grown-up fell ill at the location in the summer month.
The elderly man, from that region, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
Yet, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was against a young boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody before a subsequent court date on late November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, detailed Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She explained his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer camp which he managed.
Ruben played a "sweet game" with the children, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She told the court Ruben had engaged in this activity with the young males "over an extended period", and minors had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She said Ruben had been able to explain this over a long period as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had suspicions in recently.
The prosecutor added: "In the summer" his family member had suspicions about the situation, for good reason.
"They chose" to examine in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor stated materials including infant oil, ointment and syringes were found, and his stepchild alerted the police about his concerns.
She stated the man went on to engage in the "treat game" with six youngsters that night - July 26th - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that stage," she added.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was examining law enforcement's management of the events.
The legal representative said the minors were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the family member notified the authorities again.
She said the defendant then engaged in the "treat game" in a room of five children.