A person who spiked sweets with sleeping medication and provided them to youngsters at a youth camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual offenses against two children both nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight children and one adult fell ill at the location in the summer month.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit one particular crime he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The accused was remanded in custody prior to a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, outlined the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She said his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a youth camp which he managed.
The defendant played a "treat game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel explained, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She told the court the defendant had engaged in this activity with the boys "for many years", and minors had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She explained Ruben had been able to explain this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had suspicions in summer 2025.
The legal representative added: "Recently" his stepson had concerns about the situation, with valid cause.
"They decided to have a look in the individual's items."
The prosecutor said items including baby oil, ointment and medical needles were located, and his stepson alerted the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She explained the defendant continued to conduct the "treat game" with six youngsters that evening - July 26th - 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, had stated that it was examining the police response of the events.
The legal representative explained the children were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the stepson contacted the authorities a second time.
She said the defendant then conducted the "treat game" in a room of five youngsters.
