An individual who laced candy with sleeping medication and gave them to youngsters at a summer program in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual crimes against two boys who were nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight children and one adult became sick at the facility in July.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the courthouse on recently.
However, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was held in detention before a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, described the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She explained his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a youth camp which he managed.
Ruben conducted a "sweet game" with the minors, the prosecutor explained, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and ask them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had engaged in this activity with the children "for many years", and minors had previously become sick the following morning.
She explained the man had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had suspicions in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "In the summer" his stepchild had suspicions about the situation, with valid cause.
"They decided to examine in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC stated materials including infant oil, Vaseline and syringes were discovered, and his stepson notified the authorities about his worries.
She said the defendant proceeded to engage in the "treat game" with six boys that evening - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"The police had not arrived by that stage," she continued.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
Mrs Prior stated the minors were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so the stepson called the authorities a second time.
She explained Ruben then played the "sweet game" in a area of five youngsters.
