A person who laced treats with sleeping medication and gave them to children at a youth camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two young males aged nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight youngsters and a grown-up experienced illness at the location in July.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
However, he denied a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was kept in jail prior to a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, described the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She explained his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a summer program which he operated.
The man played a "treat game" with the children, the prosecutor stated, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were settling down and ask them to eat sweets "rapidly".
She stated to the judge the defendant had conducted this practice with the children "for many years", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She said the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had concerns in summer 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "Recently" his stepchild had worries about what was going on, justifiably.
"They decided to examine in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC explained materials including baby oil, Vaseline and medical needles were located, and his stepson alerted the police about his worries.
She stated Ruben went on to play the "candy game" with six children that evening - that Saturday - and they were all sick the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that point," she continued.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was examining law enforcement's management of the situation.
The legal representative explained the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson notified the authorities once more.
She stated the man then conducted the "sweet game" in a room of five minors.
