A man who spiked candy with sedative and distributed them to minors at a summer camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual crimes against two children who were nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight youngsters and a grown-up became sick at the facility in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the courthouse on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he denied one particular crime he was accused of, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was kept in jail before a further hearing on November 28th.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, described Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She said his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a summer camp which he managed.
The man conducted a "treat game" with the children, the legal counsel explained, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge the defendant had engaged in this activity with the children "repeatedly", and children had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She said the man had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had suspicions in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "In the summer" his stepchild had suspicions about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to investigate in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC stated objects including baby oil, ointment and medical needles were located, and his family member contacted the authorities about his suspicions.
She stated the man proceeded to engage in the "sweet game" with six children that evening - that Saturday - and they were all sick the following morning.
"The police had not gone out by that time," she continued.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, previously told that it was examining the police response of the events.
The prosecutor explained the minors were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the family member contacted the authorities again.
She stated Ruben then conducted the "candy game" in a space of five children.
