Man pleads guilty to sexual crimes involving young males at youth camp
A man who spiked candy with sleeping medication and gave them to youngsters at a youth camp in the region has confessed to sexual crimes against two boys both between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight children and an older person fell ill at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the courthouse on the end of the week.
Yet, he denied one particular crime he was charged with, which was involving a young boy.
Ruben was remanded in custody before a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, handling the case, outlined the defendant's actions to the court.
She stated his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a youth camp which he managed.
The defendant played a "candy game" with the children, the legal counsel stated, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the defendant had conducted this practice with the young males "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She explained Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had worries in summer 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "In the summer" his stepchild had concerns about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They chose" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel explained materials including lubricant, Vaseline and syringes were discovered, and his family member alerted the authorities about his concerns.
She explained the man continued to engage in the "sweet game" with six boys that night - that Saturday - and they were all ill the following morning.
"The police had not arrived by that time," she continued.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the incident.
The prosecutor explained the youngsters were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the family member called the authorities a second time.
She stated the man then conducted the "sweet game" in a space of five children.