An individual who contaminated candy with sedative and provided them to minors at a youth camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual offences against two boys who were nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight children and an older person fell ill at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The elderly man, from that region, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he stood at the courthouse on Friday.
Nevertheless, he disputed one particular crime he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was remanded in custody ahead of a subsequent court date on late November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, detailed the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She stated his those affected were under-privileged children who were attending a youth camp which he ran.
Ruben conducted a "treat game" with the minors, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She told the court Ruben had engaged in this activity with the children "for many years", and children had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She stated Ruben had been able to explain this over a long period as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had concerns in July 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "In the summer" his stepchild had suspicions about the activities, justifiably.
"They resolved" to examine in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC stated items including baby oil, Vaseline and syringes were found, and his stepchild contacted the police about his worries.
She said the defendant went on to play the "sweet game" with six youngsters that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that point," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the situation.
The prosecutor explained the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so the stepson contacted the police once more.
She explained the man then played the "sweet game" in a space of five youngsters.
