A person who contaminated sweets with sleeping medication and distributed them to youngsters at a summer camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual crimes against two young males both nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight youngsters and one adult became sick at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from that region, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Nevertheless, he denied one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was involving a young boy.
The defendant was kept in jail before a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, detailed the defendant's actions to the court.
She explained his those affected were under-privileged children who were attending a summer camp which he operated.
The defendant played a "sweet game" with the children, the legal counsel said, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had engaged in this activity with the young males "for many years", and minors had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She explained the man had been able to explain this repeatedly as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had concerns in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "In the summer" his family member had concerns about the situation, with valid cause.
"They chose" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor explained materials including lubricant, petroleum jelly and medical needles were located, and his stepchild alerted the police about his worries.
She explained the defendant went on to engage in the "sweet game" with six youngsters that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that time," she continued.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, had stated that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
The prosecutor explained the children were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so the family member contacted the law enforcement again.
She explained the defendant then conducted the "candy game" in a room of five children.
