An individual who spiked treats with sedative and provided them to minors at a youth camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual crimes against two boys who were nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight minors and a grown-up experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in July.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the judicial center on Friday.
Nevertheless, he disputed one particular crime he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was held in detention ahead of a further hearing on November 28th.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, outlined Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She explained his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer camp which he ran.
Ruben played a "candy game" with the minors, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and tell them to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She told the court the man had played this game with the children "repeatedly", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She said Ruben had been able to explain this over a long period as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had suspicions in summer 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "In the summer" his family member had suspicions about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They chose" to investigate in the individual's items."
The prosecutor stated materials including infant oil, petroleum jelly and syringes were located, and his stepchild contacted the police about his concerns.
She explained the man proceeded to play the "treat game" with six children that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the next day.
"The police had not gone out by that stage," she stated further.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was examining the police response of the situation.
The legal representative stated the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so the family member notified the law enforcement a second time.
She said Ruben then engaged in the "sweet game" in a room of five minors.
