A man who spiked candy with sedative and distributed 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 taken into custody after eight minors and one adult experienced illness at the location in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he was present at the judicial center on Friday.
However, he denied one particular crime he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was kept in jail ahead of a further hearing on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, described the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She explained his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a youth camp which he ran.
The man engaged in a "sweet game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor stated, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and tell them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had played this game with the young males "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously become sick the following morning.
She said the defendant had been capable of justifying this for many years as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had concerns in July 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "Recently" his family member had worries about the situation, justifiably.
"They chose" to examine in the individual's items."
The legal counsel explained items including baby oil, Vaseline and injection devices were located, and his stepchild notified the law enforcement about his concerns.
She said the defendant continued to engage in the "candy game" with six boys that time - that Saturday - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that stage," she continued.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was reviewing the police response of the incident.
The prosecutor said the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so the family member contacted the law enforcement again.
She explained the man then conducted the "treat game" in a room of five minors.
