🔗 Share this article Individual admits sexual offenses against boys at youth camp The accused pleaded guilty to 17 offences at the judicial center on recently A person who contaminated sweets with sleeping medication and provided them to youngsters at a summer camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two children who were nine and ten years old. Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight children and an older person became sick at Stathern Lodge in July. The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he stood at the courthouse on Friday. Yet, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old child. Ruben was held in detention before a subsequent court date on November 28th. 'Candy game' Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, detailed the defendant's actions to the court. She explained his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a youth camp which he managed. The defendant engaged in a "sweet game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to ingest treats "as fast as possible". She stated to the judge Ruben had engaged in this activity with the young males "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the next day. She explained the man had been able to explain this over a long period as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had suspicions in July 2025. Mrs Prior KC added: "This year his family member had suspicions about the activities, for good reason. "They chose" to investigate in the man's possessions." Mrs Prior KC stated objects including lubricant, petroleum jelly and syringes were found, and his stepson notified the police about his concerns. She explained Ruben went on to play the "treat game" with six boys that night - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the following morning. "The police had not arrived by that point," she continued. The oversight body, the investigative body, previously told that it was examining law enforcement's management of the situation. The prosecutor explained the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson notified the law enforcement once more. She explained Ruben then conducted the "sweet game" in a area of five children.