A person who laced sweets with sleeping medication and provided them to minors at a youth camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual offenses against two children who were between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight minors and an older person fell ill at the facility in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from that region, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
Yet, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
The accused was remanded in custody ahead of a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, described the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She stated his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer camp which he managed.
Ruben played a "sweet game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel explained, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and ask them to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She told the court the man had engaged in this activity with the boys "for many years", and minors had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She said the defendant had been able to explain this for many years as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had suspicions in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "In the summer" his family member had concerns about the activities, with valid cause.
"They decided to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel stated objects including baby oil, ointment and syringes were located, and his stepchild notified the authorities about his worries.
She explained the man continued to conduct the "sweet game" with six boys that night - that Saturday - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that point," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was investigating the police response of the incident.
The prosecutor explained the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson called the authorities once more.
She said the man then conducted the "sweet game" in a space of five minors.
