An individual who laced sweets with sleeping medication and gave them to minors at a summer program in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offenses against two children both nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight minors and an older person became sick at the location in July.
The elderly man, from that region, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the judicial center on Friday.
Nevertheless, he denied a single sexual charge he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was remanded in custody ahead of a further hearing on late November.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, handling the case, detailed the criminal behavior to the court.
She explained his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer camp which he operated.
The defendant played a "candy game" with the minors, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and request they to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge Ruben had played this game with the young males "repeatedly", and minors had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She said the man had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had suspicions in July 2025.
The legal representative continued: "In the summer" his family member had worries about what was going on, for good reason.
"They resolved" to examine in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC said items including baby oil, Vaseline and syringes were located, and his stepson alerted the police about his concerns.
She explained Ruben went on to engage in the "treat game" with six children that time - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that time," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was examining law enforcement's management of the events.
Mrs Prior explained the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson notified the police a second time.
She explained the defendant then conducted the "treat game" in a area of five youngsters.
