An individual who laced candy with sleeping medication and distributed them to minors at a summer camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual offences against two boys both nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight children and a grown-up fell ill at the location in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the judicial center on Friday.
Nevertheless, he disputed one particular crime he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was kept in jail ahead of a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, outlined the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She explained his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a youth camp which he managed.
The defendant played a "candy game" with the children, the prosecutor said, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and request they to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She told the court the man had conducted this practice with the children "for many years", and minors had previously fallen ill the next day.
She stated the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had concerns in July 2025.
The legal representative continued: "This year his stepson had suspicions about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They chose" to have a look in the individual's items."
The legal counsel stated items including baby oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were discovered, and his stepson alerted the law enforcement about his concerns.
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 following morning.
"Authorities" had not responded by that stage," she stated further.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was investigating the police response of the events.
Mrs Prior said the minors were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the family member notified the law enforcement again.
She said the defendant then played the "treat game" in a room of five children.
