A person who contaminated sweets with tranquilliser and distributed them to youngsters at a summer camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual crimes against two boys both nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight minors and a grown-up became sick at Stathern Lodge in July.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Nevertheless, he denied one particular crime he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was kept in jail ahead of a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, described the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She stated his victims were under-privileged children who were participating in a youth camp which he ran.
The defendant played a "sweet game" with the children, the legal counsel said, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She told the court the man had conducted this practice with the boys "repeatedly", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She said Ruben had been able to explain this for many years as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had concerns in summer 2025.
The legal representative added: "Recently" his family member had concerns about what was going on, justifiably.
"They chose" to investigate in the individual's items."
The prosecutor said items including infant oil, ointment and medical needles were discovered, and his family member contacted the law enforcement about his worries.
She said the defendant went on to engage in the "sweet game" with six children that time - July 26th - and they were all ill the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that time," she added.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
The legal representative explained the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson notified the police a second time.
She said Ruben then engaged in the "candy game" in a room of five minors.
