A person who contaminated sweets with tranquilliser and distributed them to children at a summer camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two children both nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight minors and one adult fell ill at Stathern Lodge in July.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
Yet, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was against a young boy.
The accused was remanded in custody prior to a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, detailed Ruben's offending to the court.
She said his targets were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer program which he ran.
Ruben conducted a "candy game" with the minors, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She told the court Ruben had engaged in this activity with the children "for many years", and minors had previously become sick the next day.
She stated Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had worries in July 2025.
The prosecutor added: "In the summer" his stepson had suspicions about what was going on, justifiably.
"They decided to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor said materials including lubricant, ointment and syringes were discovered, and his stepchild notified the law enforcement about his worries.
She explained Ruben went on to play the "treat game" with six youngsters that time - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that stage," she added.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the events.
Mrs Prior stated the children were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the family member called the police a second time.
She stated Ruben then conducted the "candy game" in a area of five children.
