A man who laced candy with tranquilliser and provided them to youngsters at a summer program in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two young males aged nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight youngsters and a grown-up became sick at the facility in the summer month.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at the courthouse on Friday.
However, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was involving a young boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody before a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, described the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She said his targets were under-privileged children who were attending a summer camp which he managed.
Ruben conducted a "treat game" with the children, the prosecutor stated, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and tell them to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge Ruben had engaged in this activity with the boys "over an extended period", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She stated the man had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had suspicions in July 2025.
The legal representative added: "This year his family member had suspicions about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They chose" to have a look in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor explained objects including infant oil, ointment and syringes were located, and his stepson contacted the law enforcement about his worries.
She explained Ruben proceeded to play the "candy game" with six children that night - that Saturday - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that point," she added.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, had stated that it was investigating the police response of the incident.
The prosecutor said the children were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so the stepson notified the authorities again.
She said the man then engaged in the "candy game" in a room of five youngsters.
