An individual who laced treats with sedative and gave them to children at a youth camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual offences against two children aged nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight youngsters and one adult fell ill at the facility in July.
The elderly man, from that region, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
However, he denied one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was kept in jail prior to a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, outlined the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She said his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer program which he operated.
The man engaged in a "treat game" with the minors, the legal counsel explained, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were settling down and request they to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She told the court the defendant had played this game with the young males "repeatedly", and children had previously become sick the following morning.
She stated Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had suspicions in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "In the summer" his stepchild had concerns about what was going on, for good reason.
"They chose" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel stated items including lubricant, ointment and medical needles were found, and his stepchild contacted the authorities about his concerns.
She stated the defendant went on to play the "candy game" with six boys that time - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that point," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, had stated that it was examining law enforcement's management of the events.
Mrs Prior explained the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson notified the authorities a second time.
She explained the defendant then conducted the "sweet game" in a space of five children.
