An individual who contaminated treats with sleeping medication and distributed them to minors at a summer camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two young males aged nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight youngsters and an older person became sick at the location in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
However, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody before a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, described the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She stated his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a summer program which he operated.
The man conducted a "treat game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel stated, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had engaged in this activity with the children "repeatedly", and children had previously fallen ill the next day.
She explained the man had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had concerns in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "In the summer" his stepchild had suspicions about the activities, justifiably.
"They decided to investigate in the individual's items."
The prosecutor explained items including baby oil, Vaseline and syringes were found, and his stepchild alerted the law enforcement about his concerns.
She said Ruben continued to play the "treat game" with six children that time - that Saturday - and they were all ill the following morning.
"The police had not gone out by that stage," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, previously told that it was reviewing the police response of the events.
The prosecutor stated the children were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so the stepson notified the authorities a second time.
She said Ruben then played the "candy game" in a room of five children.
