An individual who contaminated candy with sleeping medication and gave them to youngsters at a summer program in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two young males aged nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight children and a grown-up became sick at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
However, he disputed a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was held in detention prior to a further hearing on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, described the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She said his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a youth camp which he ran.
The man played a "sweet game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor said, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had played this game with the children "over an extended period", and children had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She stated the man had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had suspicions in summer 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "This year his stepson had concerns about the activities, justifiably.
"They chose" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC said materials including lubricant, ointment and medical needles were located, and his stepson notified the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She stated the defendant continued to play the "candy game" with six boys that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the next day.
"The police had not gone out by that time," she added.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, had stated that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
The prosecutor stated the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the family member contacted the police a second time.
She said the man then played the "treat game" in a space of five youngsters.
