Man confesses to sex offences targeting children at summer camp

A man who contaminated treats with tranquilliser and distributed them to youngsters at a youth camp in the region has confessed to sexual offences against two boys aged nine and 10.

Jon Ruben was arrested after eight minors and a grown-up became sick at the location in the summer month.

The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the courthouse on recently.

However, he denied a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was concerning a young boy.

The defendant was remanded in custody ahead of a subsequent court date on 28 November.

'Sweet game'

Mary Prior KC, handling the case, outlined Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.

She stated his targets were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer program which he ran.

The man conducted a "sweet game" with the children, the prosecutor explained, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and request they to consume candy "as quickly as they can".

She informed the proceedings the defendant had played this game with the young males "for many years", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the following morning.

She said the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had worries in recently.

The prosecutor continued: "This year his stepson had suspicions about what was going on, for good reason.

"They resolved" to investigate in the man's possessions."

The prosecutor explained materials including lubricant, ointment and injection devices were found, and his stepson notified the police about his concerns.

She said the defendant proceeded to conduct the "candy game" with six children that night - that Saturday - and they were all ill the next day.

"Authorities" had not arrived by that point," she continued.

The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was examining law enforcement's management of the situation.

The legal representative explained the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so the stepson notified the law enforcement again.

She said Ruben then conducted the "sweet game" in a room of five minors.