A person who contaminated sweets with tranquilliser and distributed them to youngsters at a youth camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual crimes against two young males both nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight minors and an older person became sick at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at the courthouse on Friday.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was kept in jail ahead of a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, described Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She stated his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a summer program which he ran.
The man conducted a "sweet game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor stated, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had engaged in this activity with the young males "repeatedly", and children had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She said the man had been able to explain this for many years as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had suspicions in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "In the summer" his family member had suspicions about the activities, for good reason.
"They decided to have a look in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel stated materials including lubricant, petroleum jelly and injection devices were located, and his stepson notified the authorities about his concerns.
She stated the defendant proceeded to play the "sweet game" with six children that evening - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that stage," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was reviewing the police response of the incident.
Mrs Prior said the children were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the stepson notified the law enforcement once more.
She explained the man then conducted the "candy game" in a space of five children.
