A man who spiked candy with sleeping medication and provided them to children at a youth camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two boys who were nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight children and one adult became sick at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from that region, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the courthouse on the end of the week.
Yet, he disputed one particular crime he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The accused was remanded in custody ahead of a additional proceeding on late November.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, outlined the defendant's actions to the court.
She said his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer camp which he operated.
The defendant conducted a "treat game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She told the court the defendant had played this game with the young males "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the next day.
She stated Ruben had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had suspicions in July 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "This year his stepson had worries about the situation, justifiably.
"They resolved" to examine in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor stated objects including lubricant, Vaseline and medical needles were discovered, and his family member notified the law enforcement about his concerns.
She said Ruben continued to engage in the "treat game" with six youngsters that night - that Saturday - and they were all sick the following morning.
"The police had not arrived by that point," she added.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the events.
The prosecutor stated the children were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the stepson notified the police a second time.
She explained the man then played the "treat game" in a space of five youngsters.
