An individual who laced candy with sedative and distributed them to children at a summer program in Leicestershire has admitted sexual crimes against two young males aged nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight youngsters and an older person became sick at the location in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the judicial center on Friday.
Yet, he denied one particular crime he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was remanded in custody before a additional proceeding on late November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, outlined the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She said his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer camp which he operated.
The defendant conducted a "candy game" with the minors, the prosecutor stated, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and tell them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge the man had engaged in this activity with the children "repeatedly", and children had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She stated Ruben had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had worries in July 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "This year his stepson had concerns about what was going on, for good reason.
"They decided to examine in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel said objects including baby oil, ointment and syringes were found, and his family member contacted the authorities about his concerns.
She stated the man continued to engage in the "sweet game" with six boys that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the next day.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that stage," she stated further.
The oversight body, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was reviewing the police response of the incident.
The legal representative said the minors were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the stepson notified the law enforcement a second time.
She stated Ruben then played the "sweet game" in a area of five minors.
