An individual who spiked candy with sedative and distributed them to children at a youth camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual crimes against two young males both nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight youngsters and one adult experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in July.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was concerning a young boy.
The defendant was held in detention ahead of a further hearing on late November.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, described the criminal behavior to the court.
She explained his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer camp which he ran.
Ruben engaged in a "candy game" with the children, the legal counsel said, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She told the court the man had played this game with the children "for many years", and minors had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She explained the man had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had worries in summer 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "In the summer" his stepchild had worries about the situation, with valid cause.
"They chose" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor stated materials including lubricant, Vaseline and medical needles were found, and his stepson notified the police about his concerns.
She explained the man continued to conduct the "treat game" with six children that night - July 26th - and they were all ill the following morning.
"The police had not arrived by that stage," she continued.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was examining the police response of the situation.
The legal representative said the children were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so the stepson notified the police once more.
She stated Ruben then engaged in the "treat game" in a area of five youngsters.
