🔗 Share this article Man pleads guilty to sex offences involving young males at summer camp The accused confessed to 17 offences at the courthouse on the end of the week A man who laced candy with tranquilliser and distributed them to minors at a summer program in the area has confessed to sexual offenses against two boys aged nine and 10. Jon Ruben was detained after eight children and an older person became sick at Stathern Lodge in July. The 76-year-old, from that region, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he was present at the courthouse on the end of the week. However, he disputed one particular crime he was accused of, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy. The defendant was kept in jail prior to a additional proceeding on November 28th. 'Candy game' The legal representative, presenting evidence, described Ruben's offending to the court. She stated his victims were under-privileged children who were staying at a youth camp which he operated. Ruben conducted a "treat game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor said, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to consume candy "rapidly". She told the court the defendant had played this game with the boys "repeatedly", and children had previously become sick the next day. She said the man had been able to explain this over a long period as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had suspicions in summer 2025. Mrs Prior KC stated further: "Recently" his family member had suspicions about the situation, for good reason. "They resolved" to have a look in the defendant's belongings." Mrs Prior KC explained items including baby oil, ointment and injection devices were discovered, and his stepchild alerted the authorities about his concerns. She said the defendant went on to conduct the "candy game" with six children that night - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the next day. "Authorities" had not gone out by that time," she stated further. The regulatory agency, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the events. Mrs Prior stated the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the stepson contacted the police again. She said the defendant then engaged in the "candy game" in a space of five youngsters.