A person who contaminated candy with tranquilliser and gave them to children at a summer camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two boys both nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight youngsters and an older person fell ill at Stathern Lodge in July.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
However, he denied one particular crime he was facing, which was concerning a young boy.
The accused was kept in jail before a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, described the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She said his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a youth camp which he operated.
Ruben conducted a "treat game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel stated, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the man had engaged in this activity with the boys "over an extended period", and minors had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She said Ruben had been able to explain this for many years as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had concerns in July 2025.
The legal representative continued: "In the summer" his family member had concerns about the activities, for good reason.
"They decided to investigate in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC explained items including baby oil, Vaseline and injection devices were located, and his stepson notified the law enforcement about his worries.
She explained the defendant continued to play the "treat game" with six children that evening - July 26th - and they were all sick the following morning.
"The police had not gone out by that point," she added.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, previously told that it was reviewing the police response of the events.
The prosecutor said the minors were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson notified the authorities again.
She explained the defendant then conducted the "candy game" in a space of five youngsters.
