An individual who contaminated sweets with sleeping medication and provided them to minors at a summer camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offenses against two young males who were nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight children and one adult experienced illness at the location in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he denied one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was held in detention ahead of a further hearing on November 28th.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, detailed the criminal behavior to the court.
She explained his targets were under-privileged children who were attending a youth camp which he ran.
Ruben engaged in a "treat game" with the children, the prosecutor stated, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge the man had conducted this practice with the young males "for many years", and youngsters had previously become sick the next day.
She explained the man had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had worries in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "In the summer" his stepchild had concerns about the situation, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to investigate in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel explained materials including baby oil, ointment and medical needles were located, and his stepson notified the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She explained Ruben continued to conduct the "candy game" with six boys that night - July 26th - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that time," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was investigating the police response of the situation.
Mrs Prior stated the minors were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the family member called the law enforcement a second time.
She said the defendant then conducted the "sweet game" in a room of five children.
