An individual who contaminated treats with sleeping medication and provided them to youngsters at a summer camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two young males aged nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight children and one adult became sick at the location in the summer month.
The elderly man, from that region, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Yet, he denied one particular crime he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old child.
The accused was kept in jail prior to a further hearing on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, described the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She said his those affected were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer program which he ran.
The man played a "treat game" with the minors, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to consume candy "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had conducted this practice with the children "for many years", and minors had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She said Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had worries in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "Recently" his stepson had suspicions about the activities, with valid cause.
"They chose" to investigate in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC explained objects including lubricant, ointment and medical needles were discovered, and his family member alerted the authorities about his concerns.
She said the man proceeded to play the "treat game" with six boys that night - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"The police had not arrived by that time," she stated further.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was reviewing the police response of the events.
The prosecutor said the minors were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so the family member notified the law enforcement a second time.
She stated Ruben then played the "candy game" in a area of five minors.
