A man who contaminated treats with sedative and provided them to youngsters at a summer camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two young males both between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight minors and a grown-up fell ill at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at the judicial center on Friday.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was kept in jail before a subsequent court date on late November.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, outlined 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 operated.
The man conducted a "sweet game" with the children, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to ingest treats "rapidly".
She stated to the judge the man had conducted this practice with the children "for many years", and children had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She explained the man had been able to explain this repeatedly as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had suspicions in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "Recently" his stepson had worries about what was going on, justifiably.
"They decided to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel said items including lubricant, Vaseline and syringes were found, and his stepchild contacted the police about his worries.
She stated Ruben went on to play the "candy game" with six children that evening - July 26th - and they were all ill the next day.
"The police had not arrived by that time," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was investigating the police response of the incident.
The legal representative explained the children were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the stepson notified the authorities once more.
She explained the defendant then conducted the "candy game" in a space of five minors.
