A man who spiked sweets with sedative and distributed them to children at a youth camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offenses against two young males who were nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight minors and a grown-up became sick at the location in July.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the judicial center on the end of the week.
Yet, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was against a nine-year-old child.
The accused was held in detention ahead of a additional proceeding on late November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, outlined the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She explained his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer program which he operated.
Ruben played a "candy game" with the minors, the prosecutor stated, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were settling down and tell them to eat sweets "rapidly".
She told the court Ruben had played this game with the children "repeatedly", and children had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She stated Ruben had been able to explain this for many years as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had suspicions in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "This year his stepchild had worries about the situation, for good reason.
"They decided to investigate in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor stated items including infant oil, ointment and medical needles were found, and his stepson contacted the law enforcement about his concerns.
She stated the man went on to conduct the "sweet game" with six youngsters that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the next day.
"The police had not responded by that time," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, previously told that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
The prosecutor said the children were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the stepson contacted the police again.
She explained the man then engaged in the "candy game" in a room of five minors.
