Individual admits sexual offenses against boys at youth camp

A man who laced sweets with sleeping medication and gave them to children at a summer program in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two children aged between nine and ten.

Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight youngsters and one adult fell ill at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.

The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the courthouse on Friday.

Yet, he disputed a single sexual charge he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.

Ruben was held in detention prior to a additional proceeding on 28 November.

'Sweet game'

Mary Prior KC, handling the case, described the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.

She said his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a youth camp which he operated.

The man engaged in a "sweet game" with the minors, the legal counsel said, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and request they to ingest treats "as fast as possible".

She told the court Ruben had conducted this practice with the boys "repeatedly", and children had previously become sick the following morning.

She said Ruben had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had suspicions in July 2025.

The legal representative stated further: "This year his stepson had worries about what was going on, justifiably.

"They chose" to examine in the man's possessions."

Mrs Prior KC said materials including baby oil, petroleum jelly and syringes were located, and his stepson contacted the law enforcement about his suspicions.

She stated the defendant proceeded to conduct the "sweet game" with six youngsters that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the subsequent day.

"Authorities" had not responded by that point," she stated further.

The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was examining the police response of the situation.

The prosecutor explained the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson called the police once more.

She stated the man then engaged in the "sweet game" in a room of five youngsters.