An individual who laced treats with sedative and distributed them to children at a youth camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual offenses against two young males aged nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight children and an older person experienced illness at the facility in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Nevertheless, he denied a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was concerning a young boy.
The defendant was held in detention prior to a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, handling the case, detailed Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She explained his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer program which he ran.
The man engaged in a "candy game" with the minors, the prosecutor explained, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were settling down and ask them to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She told the court Ruben had conducted this practice with the young males "for many years", and minors had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She said the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had suspicions in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "In the summer" his family member had suspicions about the situation, for good reason.
"They resolved" to investigate in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel said objects including lubricant, Vaseline and medical needles were located, and his stepson contacted the police about his worries.
She said the defendant proceeded to play the "sweet game" with six children that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that point," she added.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was investigating the police response of the situation.
The legal representative explained the minors were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson contacted the authorities again.
She said the defendant then engaged in the "treat game" in a area of five children.
