A person who laced candy with tranquilliser and provided them to youngsters at a summer camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offenses against two children aged nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight youngsters and a grown-up became sick at the facility in the summer month.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the judicial center on Friday.
However, he disputed one particular crime he was facing, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was kept in jail ahead of a subsequent court date on late November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, outlined the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She explained his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a summer program which he managed.
Ruben conducted a "candy game" with the minors, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the defendant had played this game with the young males "over an extended period", and children had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She explained Ruben had been capable of justifying this for many years as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had worries in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "In the summer" his stepson had worries about the situation, justifiably.
"They resolved" to investigate in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel stated materials including baby oil, Vaseline and injection devices were found, and his stepchild notified the law enforcement about his concerns.
She explained the defendant proceeded to conduct the "candy game" with six children that evening - July 26th - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that stage," she continued.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
The legal representative explained the children were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the stepson notified the authorities a second time.
She said the man then played the "sweet game" in a area of five youngsters.
