An individual who spiked candy with sedative and provided them to children at a summer camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two children who were nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight children and a grown-up experienced illness at the location in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the courthouse on Friday.
Yet, he denied a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old child.
The accused was kept in jail prior to a further hearing on November 28th.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, detailed Ruben's offending to the court.
She said his targets were under-privileged children who were staying at a youth camp which he managed.
The man engaged in a "treat game" with the minors, the prosecutor explained, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and ask them to consume candy "rapidly".
She stated to the judge the defendant had conducted this practice with the boys "repeatedly", and minors had previously become sick the next day.
She said the defendant had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had worries in July 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "In the summer" his stepchild had concerns about the situation, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to examine in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC stated items including infant oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were found, and his family member contacted the police about his concerns.
She said Ruben continued to play the "sweet game" with six children that evening - that Saturday - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that point," she added.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, previously told that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
Mrs Prior explained the children were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the family member notified the authorities again.
She said the man then played the "sweet game" in a room of five children.
