A man who spiked candy with sedative and provided them to minors at a summer camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual offenses against two boys aged between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight youngsters and one adult became sick at the facility in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from that region, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the courthouse on the end of the week.
Yet, he denied one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was kept in jail prior to a further hearing on November 28th.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, outlined the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She explained his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a youth camp which he ran.
Ruben engaged in a "treat game" with the children, Mrs Prior said, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had conducted this practice with the young males "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She explained the man had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had suspicions in summer 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "Recently" his stepchild had suspicions about what was going on, for good reason.
"They decided to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC said materials including infant oil, Vaseline and syringes were discovered, and his stepson contacted the police about his concerns.
She said the man proceeded to conduct the "treat game" with six boys that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that time," she continued.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, had stated that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
The prosecutor explained the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson notified the police once more.
She said the defendant then played the "treat game" in a room of five children.
