A man who contaminated treats with sedative and provided them to children at a summer camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual offences against two young males aged between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight minors and a grown-up experienced illness at the facility in July.
The elderly man, from that region, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
However, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was remanded in custody prior to a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, described Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She stated his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer camp which he managed.
Ruben engaged in a "sweet game" with the children, the legal counsel stated, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to consume candy "rapidly".
She stated to the judge the man had conducted this practice with the young males "over an extended period", and children had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She said Ruben had been able to explain this repeatedly as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had concerns in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "In the summer" his stepchild had suspicions about what was going on, for good reason.
"They decided to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel stated materials including lubricant, Vaseline and syringes were located, and his stepson notified the law enforcement about his concerns.
She stated the defendant went on to engage in the "treat game" with six boys that time - July 26th - and they were all sick the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that stage," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
The prosecutor explained the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson contacted the law enforcement a second time.
She stated the man then played the "sweet game" in a space of five minors.
