Man confesses to sexual offenses against children at summer program
A man who contaminated treats with tranquilliser and provided them to children at a youth camp in the area has confessed to sexual offenses against two young males both between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight minors and one adult became sick at the location in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from that region, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he was present at the judicial center on recently.
However, he denied a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was remanded in custody prior to a further hearing on 28 November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, detailed Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She stated his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a youth camp which he ran.
The defendant played a "candy game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel said, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were settling down and tell them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the man had conducted this practice with the boys "for many years", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She explained the man had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had suspicions in recently.
The legal representative added: "This year his stepchild had worries about the activities, justifiably.
"They decided to examine in the individual's items."
The prosecutor stated items including lubricant, Vaseline and injection devices were discovered, and his stepson contacted the law enforcement about his worries.
She stated Ruben proceeded to conduct the "candy game" with six youngsters that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the following morning.
"The police had not gone out by that time," she stated further.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
The prosecutor stated the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the family member called the authorities again.
She said Ruben then played the "treat game" in a space of five youngsters.
