Person pleads guilty to sexual offenses targeting young males at youth camp
A person who spiked treats with tranquilliser and distributed them to minors at a youth camp in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two young males aged between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight children and one adult experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the courthouse on recently.
Yet, he disputed one particular crime he was accused of, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was kept in jail prior to a further hearing on late November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, described the criminal behavior to the court.
She stated his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a youth camp which he ran.
The man played a "treat game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She told the court Ruben had played this game with the young males "over an extended period", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She said the defendant had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had suspicions in July 2025.
The legal representative added: "Recently" his stepchild had suspicions about the activities, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor explained items including infant oil, petroleum jelly and injection devices were located, and his stepson notified the authorities about his concerns.
She explained Ruben proceeded to play the "treat game" with six boys that time - July 26th - and they were all ill the following morning.
"Authorities" had not responded by that stage," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, had stated that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the incident.
The prosecutor explained the children were struggling to walk due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson notified the police once more.
She stated the man then conducted the "sweet game" in a area of five minors.