🔗 Share this article Individual admits sexual crimes targeting boys at summer camp The accused confessed to 17 charges at the courthouse on recently A man who spiked candy with sedative and distributed them to youngsters at a summer program in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two boys both nine and 10. Jon Ruben was detained after eight youngsters and one adult experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in the summer month. The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the courthouse on recently. However, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old boy. The accused was kept in jail ahead of a subsequent court date on 28 November. 'Sweet game' The prosecutor, handling the case, described Ruben's offending to the court. She stated his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a youth camp which he managed. Ruben played a "sweet game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel said, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to eat sweets "rapidly". She stated to the judge the man had played this game with the young males "over an extended period", and minors had earlier experienced illness the next day. She said the defendant had been able to explain this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had worries in July 2025. Mrs Prior KC continued: "In the summer" his stepchild had concerns about the situation, with valid cause. "They resolved" to investigate in the individual's items." Mrs Prior KC explained materials including infant oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were found, and his stepson notified the police about his suspicions. She explained the man continued to engage in the "sweet game" with six boys that night - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the next day. "The police had not gone out by that time," she added. The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the events. The prosecutor explained the minors were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so the stepson called the law enforcement a second time. She explained the defendant then engaged in the "sweet game" in a room of five youngsters.