A person who laced treats with sedative and distributed them to minors at a summer program in Leicestershire has admitted sexual offences against two children aged nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight youngsters and one adult experienced illness at the facility in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
However, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was against a young boy.
The accused was held in detention before a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, outlined the criminal behavior to the court.
She stated his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a youth camp which he operated.
Ruben played a "candy game" with the minors, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to ingest treats "rapidly".
She stated to the judge the defendant had conducted this practice with the young males "over an extended period", and minors had previously become sick the next day.
She said the man had been able to explain this repeatedly as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had suspicions in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "In the summer" his family member had suspicions about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They decided to examine in the individual's items."
The prosecutor said materials including infant oil, Vaseline and medical needles were discovered, and his stepchild alerted the police about his worries.
She said Ruben went on to engage in the "sweet game" with six boys that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that stage," she continued.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, previously told that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the situation.
Mrs Prior stated the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson notified the authorities a second time.
She explained the defendant then played the "candy game" in a room of five youngsters.
