🔗 Share this article Individual confesses to sexual offenses targeting young males at youth camp The defendant admitted 17 criminal counts at Leicester Crown Court on recently An individual who laced sweets with tranquilliser and gave them to youngsters at a summer camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual offences against two boys who were nine and ten years old. Jon Ruben was arrested after eight children and one adult experienced illness at the facility in July. The 76-year-old, from that region, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he was present at the courthouse on Friday. Yet, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old boy. The accused was kept in jail ahead of a additional proceeding on late November. 'Sweet game' The legal representative, prosecuting, described the defendant's actions to the judicial body. She said his those affected were under-privileged children who were attending a summer program which he managed. The defendant conducted a "sweet game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were settling down and ask them to consume candy "as quickly as they can". She told the court Ruben had engaged in this activity with the children "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously become sick the subsequent day. She said Ruben had been capable of justifying this for many years as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had worries in July 2025. Mrs Prior KC continued: "This year his stepson had worries about the situation, with valid cause. "They chose" to have a look in the defendant's belongings." The legal counsel said items including baby oil, Vaseline and injection devices were discovered, and his family member contacted the law enforcement about his worries. She said Ruben went on to play the "sweet game" with six children that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the next day. "Law enforcement" had not gone out by that stage," she stated further. The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation. The prosecutor stated the children were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the family member notified the police again. She stated the man then played the "treat game" in a space of five children.