A man who contaminated sweets with sedative and provided them to children at a youth camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two boys both nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight youngsters and a grown-up became sick at the location in July.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he stood at the courthouse on Friday.
Yet, he denied a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was concerning a young boy.
The accused was held in detention ahead of a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, described the defendant's actions to the court.
She stated his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a youth camp which he managed.
The man conducted a "candy game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel explained, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and request they to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge Ruben had conducted this practice with the boys "for many years", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She explained the man had been able to explain this for many years as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had worries in July 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "Recently" his stepson had worries about the situation, with valid cause.
"They decided to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor stated items including infant oil, Vaseline and medical needles were found, and his stepchild alerted the authorities about his suspicions.
She explained Ruben continued to play the "treat game" with six youngsters that night - that Saturday - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that time," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the events.
The prosecutor stated the children were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the stepson notified the police once more.
She explained the man then engaged in the "treat game" in a room of five children.
