A man who laced sweets with sedative and gave them to youngsters at a summer camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual crimes against two children both nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight minors and one adult became sick at the location in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he stood at the judicial center on recently.
Nevertheless, he disputed one particular crime he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was kept in jail ahead of a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, outlined the criminal behavior to the court.
She explained his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a summer program which he managed.
Ruben played a "candy game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel stated, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge the man had played this game with the children "repeatedly", and minors had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She explained the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had suspicions in July 2025.
The prosecutor added: "Recently" his stepson had suspicions about the situation, for good reason.
"They chose" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC explained materials including baby oil, Vaseline and medical needles were discovered, and his family member alerted the authorities about his worries.
She said Ruben proceeded to engage in the "sweet game" with six children that evening - that Saturday - and they were all sick the next day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that point," she added.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
The legal representative said the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the stepson notified the police a second time.
She stated the defendant then played the "candy game" in a space of five children.
