An individual who laced sweets with tranquilliser and distributed them to minors at a youth camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two children both nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight youngsters and a grown-up became sick at the facility in the summer month.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the courthouse on the end of the week.
However, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was concerning a young boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody ahead of a further hearing on late November.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, described the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She stated his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer program which he ran.
The defendant played a "treat game" with the minors, the legal counsel stated, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings the man had engaged in this activity with the children "over an extended period", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She said the man had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had concerns in summer 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "This year his stepchild had suspicions about the situation, for good reason.
"They chose" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC stated items including baby oil, Vaseline and medical needles were located, and his stepson contacted the police about his suspicions.
She said the defendant proceeded to conduct the "sweet game" with six youngsters that night - July 26th - and they were all ill the following morning.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that stage," she added.
The oversight body, the investigative body, previously told that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
The legal representative stated the minors were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so the family member called the law enforcement again.
She stated Ruben then played the "sweet game" in a space of five children.
