Man pleads guilty to sexual offenses against young males at youth camp

A person who laced candy with tranquilliser and gave them to children at a youth camp in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two boys who were between nine and ten.

Jon Ruben was arrested after eight youngsters and an older person fell ill at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.

The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the judicial center on the end of the week.

Nevertheless, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was concerning a young boy.

Ruben was kept in jail ahead of a additional proceeding on late November.

'Sweet game'

The prosecutor, prosecuting, outlined the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.

She explained his targets were under-privileged children who were attending a youth camp which he ran.

The man played a "sweet game" with the minors, the legal counsel explained, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to consume candy "as quickly as they can".

She stated to the judge the man had engaged in this activity with the young males "repeatedly", and minors had earlier experienced illness the next day.

She stated Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had worries in July 2025.

The prosecutor continued: "This year his stepson had suspicions about the activities, with valid cause.

"They decided to have a look in the defendant's belongings."

The legal counsel explained objects including baby oil, Vaseline and medical needles were discovered, and his stepchild alerted the law enforcement about his suspicions.

She explained Ruben proceeded to play the "treat game" with six youngsters that time - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the next day.

"The police had not gone out by that time," she continued.

The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was reviewing the police response of the situation.

Mrs Prior explained the minors were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so the family member called the police again.

She explained the defendant then engaged in the "sweet game" in a area of five youngsters.