🔗 Share this article Man pleads guilty to sexual crimes against children at summer camp The accused pleaded guilty to 17 offences at the judicial center on recently A person who contaminated candy with tranquilliser and gave them to children at a youth camp in the area has admitted sexual offenses against two young males both between nine and ten. Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight children and a grown-up fell ill at the facility in mid-summer. The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the courthouse on recently. Nevertheless, he refused to admit one particular crime he was charged with, which was against a young boy. The accused was kept in jail before a subsequent court date on 28 November. 'Candy game' Mary Prior KC, handling the case, described the criminal behavior to the court. She explained his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer program which he managed. The defendant engaged in a "candy game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor said, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to consume candy "rapidly". She informed the proceedings Ruben had played this game with the children "for many years", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the following morning. She said the man had been able to explain this over a long period as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had concerns in July 2025. The prosecutor stated further: "In the summer" his stepchild had concerns about the situation, with valid cause. "They resolved" to investigate in the defendant's belongings." Mrs Prior KC said items including infant oil, Vaseline and injection devices were discovered, and his family member notified the authorities about his worries. She said the man went on to play the "sweet game" with six children that evening - July 26th - and they were all sick the next day. "Law enforcement" had not responded by that time," she stated further. The police watchdog, the police conduct office, had stated that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the events. The legal representative explained the youngsters were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the stepson contacted the law enforcement again. She stated the man then engaged in the "treat game" in a room of five minors.