Person pleads guilty to sexual offenses against children at summer program

An individual who laced treats with sleeping medication and gave them to minors at a summer camp in the region has admitted sexual crimes against two boys both nine and 10.

Jon Ruben was detained after eight minors and one adult became sick at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.

The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the courthouse on the end of the week.

Nevertheless, he denied one particular crime he was facing, which was against a young boy.

Ruben was held in detention ahead of a subsequent court date on November 28th.

'Treat game'

The prosecutor, prosecuting, detailed the defendant's actions to the judicial body.

She explained his victims were under-privileged children who were attending a summer camp which he operated.

The defendant conducted a "treat game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel said, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and request they to consume candy "as quickly as they can".

She stated to the judge Ruben had engaged in this activity with the boys "over an extended period", and children had earlier experienced illness the following morning.

She said the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had suspicions in July 2025.

The prosecutor added: "Recently" his stepson had worries about what was going on, with valid cause.

"They chose" to investigate in the individual's items."

The prosecutor said items including infant oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were located, and his stepson contacted the police about his concerns.

She said the defendant went on to conduct the "candy game" with six youngsters that evening - July 26th - and they were all ill the next day.

"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that stage," she stated further.

The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the events.

Mrs Prior stated the children were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson contacted the law enforcement again.

She stated the man then engaged in the "candy game" in a area of five youngsters.