An individual who laced candy with sleeping medication and provided them to children at a summer camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual crimes against two children who were between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight minors and one adult fell ill at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the courthouse on recently.
However, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was remanded in custody ahead of a subsequent court date on late November.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, described the criminal behavior to the court.
She explained his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a youth camp which he managed.
The man conducted a "sweet game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor said, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings the man had played this game with the children "over an extended period", and children had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She stated the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had concerns in summer 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "In the summer" his stepchild had worries about the activities, justifiably.
"They chose" to examine in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor said objects including baby oil, ointment and injection devices were located, and his stepson contacted the authorities about his worries.
She stated the defendant continued to play the "treat game" with six boys that time - July 26th - and they were all ill the following morning.
"Authorities" had not responded by that point," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the events.
The prosecutor said the children were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so the family member contacted the authorities once more.
She stated the defendant then engaged in the "sweet game" in a space of five minors.
