An individual who contaminated sweets with sleeping medication and provided them to children at a summer camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two children who were nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight youngsters and an older person became sick at the location in July.
The elderly man, from that region, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the courthouse on recently.
Yet, he denied a single sexual charge he was facing, which was against a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was remanded in custody ahead of a further hearing on November 28th.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, outlined the criminal behavior to the court.
She said his targets were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer program which he operated.
Ruben engaged in a "sweet game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and request they to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She told the court the man had conducted this practice with the boys "for many years", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the next day.
She explained the man had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had concerns in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "Recently" his stepson had worries about the activities, justifiably.
"They decided to examine in the individual's items."
The prosecutor said items including baby oil, ointment and syringes were found, and his family member alerted the authorities about his worries.
She stated the man went on to play the "candy game" with six children that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the next day.
"The police had not gone out by that point," she added.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
The prosecutor explained the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the stepson called the police once more.
She stated the defendant then engaged in the "treat game" in a room of five minors.
