An individual who laced candy with sleeping medication and distributed them to youngsters at a summer program in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offenses against two boys aged between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight minors and one adult became sick at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the courthouse on the end of the week.
However, he denied one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was concerning a young boy.
The accused was held in detention prior to a subsequent court date on late November.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, handling the case, detailed the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She said his targets were under-privileged children who were attending a youth camp which he ran.
Ruben engaged in a "sweet game" with the minors, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and request they to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had played this game with the children "for many years", and minors had previously become sick the next day.
She said the man had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had worries in July 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "In the summer" his stepchild had suspicions about the activities, justifiably.
"They decided to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor stated items including lubricant, petroleum jelly and injection devices were discovered, and his family member contacted the authorities about his worries.
She explained the defendant continued to play the "candy game" with six youngsters that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that time," she added.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, previously told that it was investigating the police response of the incident.
The prosecutor said the minors were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the stepson notified the police a second time.
She explained the defendant then engaged in the "candy game" in a space of five youngsters.
