An individual who spiked candy with sleeping medication and distributed them to youngsters at a youth camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two boys who were nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight children and an older person experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
However, he denied a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was kept in jail before a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, described the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She explained his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a youth camp which he ran.
Ruben conducted a "treat game" with the children, Mrs Prior said, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She told the court the man had engaged in this activity with the children "for many years", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She stated Ruben had been able to explain this for many years as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had concerns in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "This year his stepchild had concerns about what was going on, justifiably.
"They chose" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC explained items including baby oil, ointment and injection devices were found, and his stepson notified the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She said the man went on to play the "candy game" with six children that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"The police had not gone out by that time," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, previously told that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
Mrs Prior stated the minors were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson notified the law enforcement again.
She said the defendant then played the "sweet game" in a room of five youngsters.
