An individual who contaminated sweets with tranquilliser and provided them to youngsters at a summer camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual offenses against two young males both nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight youngsters and one adult fell ill at the location in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at the courthouse on Friday.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was held in detention before a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, detailed the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She stated his those affected were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer program which he managed.
Ruben played a "candy game" with the minors, the prosecutor said, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the man had engaged in this activity with the young males "for many years", and youngsters had previously become sick the following morning.
She said Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had worries in summer 2025.
The legal representative added: "Recently" his stepchild had concerns about the activities, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to examine in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel explained items including infant oil, ointment and medical needles were found, and his stepchild notified the authorities about his suspicions.
She explained Ruben proceeded to play the "candy game" with six youngsters that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"The police had not responded by that stage," she continued.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was reviewing the police response of the situation.
The legal representative stated the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the family member contacted the law enforcement once more.
She said the defendant then conducted the "sweet game" in a area of five children.
