A man who spiked candy with sedative and gave them to minors at a summer camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual crimes against two children who were between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight youngsters and one adult fell ill at the location in the summer month.
The elderly man, from that region, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the judicial center on the end of the week.
Yet, he denied one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was held in detention prior to a additional proceeding on late November.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, described Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She said his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer camp which he ran.
The defendant played a "sweet game" with the minors, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings the man had conducted this practice with the young males "for many years", and minors had previously become sick the following morning.
She said Ruben had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had concerns in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "In the summer" his stepson had concerns about the situation, justifiably.
"They decided to have a look in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor said objects including baby oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were located, and his stepchild contacted the authorities about his suspicions.
She explained Ruben went on to conduct the "sweet game" with six children that time - that Saturday - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that time," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, had stated that it was examining the police response of the incident.
Mrs Prior said the minors were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so the family member contacted the law enforcement a second time.
She stated the defendant then engaged in the "treat game" in a space of five children.
