A man who laced candy with sleeping medication and distributed them to youngsters at a summer camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offenses against two children both between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight youngsters and an older person became sick at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the judicial center on the end of the week.
However, he denied a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was kept in jail prior to a subsequent court date on late November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, outlined the defendant's actions to the court.
She said his victims were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer camp which he ran.
Ruben played a "candy game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior said, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and request they to consume candy "rapidly".
She told the court Ruben had played this game with the young males "repeatedly", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She stated the man had been capable of justifying this for many years as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had concerns in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "This year his stepson had concerns about the situation, for good reason.
"They decided to examine in the individual's items."
The prosecutor said objects including infant oil, ointment and medical needles were located, and his stepson alerted the police about his concerns.
She explained Ruben continued to engage in the "treat game" with six boys that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that stage," she added.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, had stated that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the situation.
The prosecutor stated the minors were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson notified the law enforcement once more.
She said Ruben then conducted the "treat game" in a space of five minors.
