A person who laced sweets with sedative and distributed them to children at a summer program in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offenses against two young males both between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight minors and an older person experienced illness at the facility in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from that region, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
However, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was involving a young boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody prior to a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, handling the case, outlined the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She explained his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a youth camp which he managed.
The man conducted a "sweet game" with the children, the prosecutor said, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to ingest treats "rapidly".
She told the court the defendant had engaged in this activity with the boys "for many years", and children had previously fallen ill the next day.
She explained Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had suspicions in July 2025.
The legal representative added: "In the summer" his stepson had worries about the activities, for good reason.
"They chose" to examine in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC said objects including infant oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were located, and his family member contacted the law enforcement about his concerns.
She stated the defendant proceeded to play the "sweet game" with six youngsters that time - that Saturday - and they were all ill the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that stage," she added.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was examining law enforcement's management of the incident.
Mrs Prior said the children were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the family member called the police again.
She explained the defendant then engaged in the "sweet game" in a space of five children.
