An individual who laced candy with sleeping medication and provided them to children at a summer camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two young males who were nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight youngsters and an older person fell ill at the facility in July.
The elderly man, from that region, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he stood at the judicial center on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he disputed a single sexual charge he was facing, which was against a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was held in detention ahead of a further hearing on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, outlined the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She said his victims were under-privileged children who were staying at a youth camp which he ran.
The defendant played a "treat game" with the children, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and tell them to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had played this game with the young males "repeatedly", and children had previously fallen ill the next day.
She explained the defendant had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had suspicions in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "Recently" his stepson had concerns about what was going on, for good reason.
"They chose" to have a look in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor explained materials including baby oil, Vaseline and syringes were found, and his stepson notified the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She explained the defendant went on to conduct the "candy game" with six boys that evening - July 26th - and they were all ill the next day.
"The police had not arrived by that stage," she added.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, had stated that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the incident.
The legal representative explained the minors were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson contacted the authorities again.
She stated Ruben then engaged in the "sweet game" in a space of five minors.
