A person who laced treats with sedative and provided them to minors at a summer program in Leicestershire has admitted sexual offenses against two boys both nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight youngsters and an older person fell ill at Stathern Lodge in July.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
However, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was kept in jail prior to a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, outlined the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She explained his targets were under-privileged children who were attending a summer camp which he managed.
The man conducted a "sweet game" with the minors, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were settling down and request they to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge the defendant had engaged in this activity with the young males "repeatedly", and minors had previously become sick the following morning.
She said the man had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had concerns in July 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "Recently" his stepson had worries about the situation, for good reason.
"They decided to examine in the individual's items."
The prosecutor explained objects including baby oil, Vaseline and injection devices were found, and his stepchild contacted the authorities about his worries.
She explained the man proceeded to play the "sweet game" with six boys that night - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"The police had not responded by that point," she continued.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, had stated that it was investigating the police response of the incident.
The legal representative said the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the family member notified the law enforcement a second time.
She explained the defendant then played the "sweet game" in a area of five minors.
