An individual who laced treats with tranquilliser and distributed them to children at a summer camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offenses against two boys who were nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight children and one adult became sick at the facility in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from that region, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
Yet, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was involving a young boy.
The defendant was held in detention prior to a subsequent court date on late November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, detailed the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She said his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer camp which he operated.
The defendant played a "treat game" with the children, the legal counsel explained, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She told the court the man had played this game with the children "over an extended period", and children had previously fallen ill the next day.
She said the defendant had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had worries in July 2025.
The prosecutor added: "Recently" his stepchild had concerns about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They decided to examine in the individual's items."
The prosecutor explained items including baby oil, Vaseline and injection devices were located, and his stepchild notified the authorities about his suspicions.
She said the man proceeded to play the "sweet game" with six boys that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that stage," she continued.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was reviewing the police response of the situation.
The legal representative explained the minors were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the stepson called the authorities once more.
She explained the defendant then conducted the "candy game" in a area of five youngsters.
