🔗 Share this article Individual admits sexual crimes against young males at youth camp The defendant admitted 17 offences at Leicester Crown Court on recently An individual who laced treats with tranquilliser and provided them to youngsters at a summer camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offences against two boys who were between nine and ten. Jon Ruben was detained after eight children and one adult experienced illness at the location in mid-summer. The 76-year-old, from that region, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week. Yet, he refused to admit one particular crime he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old child. The defendant was remanded in custody ahead of a additional proceeding on 28 November. 'Sweet game' The legal representative, prosecuting, detailed the criminal behavior to the court. She stated his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer camp which he operated. The defendant conducted a "candy game" with the minors, the prosecutor said, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to ingest treats "rapidly". She informed the proceedings the defendant had conducted this practice with the boys "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously become sick the subsequent day. She said Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had suspicions in recently. The legal representative stated further: "This year his stepchild had suspicions about what was going on, justifiably. "They resolved" to investigate in the man's possessions." Mrs Prior KC stated materials including infant oil, ointment and injection devices were found, and his family member alerted the police about his concerns. She explained the man continued to play the "candy game" with six youngsters that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the subsequent day. "The police had not gone out by that point," she continued. The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident. The prosecutor explained the children were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson contacted the police again. She stated the defendant then played the "candy game" in a room of five minors.