🔗 Share this article Person pleads guilty to sex offences against young males at youth camp Jon Ruben admitted 17 charges at Leicester Crown Court on Friday A person who spiked treats with tranquilliser and gave them to minors at a summer program in the area has admitted sexual offenses against two children who were nine and 10. Jon Ruben was arrested after eight minors and a grown-up fell ill at Stathern Lodge in July. The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on Friday. Yet, he denied a single sexual charge he was facing, which was involving a young boy. The accused was held in detention prior to a additional proceeding on 28 November. 'Candy game' The legal representative, prosecuting, detailed the criminal behavior to the court. She stated his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer program which he managed. The defendant conducted a "treat game" with the minors, the prosecutor said, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and request they to ingest treats "as fast as possible". She told the court the man had conducted this practice with the children "over an extended period", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day. She explained the man had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had suspicions in July 2025. The legal representative added: "This year his stepchild had concerns about the situation, for good reason. "They decided to have a look in the defendant's belongings." The prosecutor stated materials including lubricant, Vaseline and syringes were found, and his stepson alerted the authorities about his concerns. She stated the defendant went on to engage in the "treat game" with six children that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the next day. "Authorities" had not gone out by that time," she stated further. The police watchdog, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the events. The prosecutor said the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so the stepson contacted the law enforcement again. She explained Ruben then played the "treat game" in a area of five children.