A man who laced candy with sedative and provided them to youngsters at a youth camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two children both nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight children and a grown-up experienced illness at the location in July.
The senior citizen, from that region, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at the judicial center on recently.
However, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was held in detention prior to a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, described Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She stated his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer program which he operated.
The defendant conducted a "sweet game" with the minors, the legal counsel stated, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and ask them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge the defendant had played this game with the children "over an extended period", and minors had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She said the defendant had been able to explain this over a long period as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had suspicions in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "In the summer" his stepson had worries about the activities, justifiably.
"They decided to investigate in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor explained materials including lubricant, petroleum jelly and injection devices were discovered, and his stepchild notified the police about his worries.
She explained Ruben continued to conduct the "candy game" with six boys that night - July 26th - and they were all sick the next day.
"Authorities" had not responded by that stage," she added.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the incident.
The legal representative said the youngsters were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the family member called the police again.
She explained Ruben then engaged in the "candy game" in a space of five youngsters.
