A man who contaminated candy with tranquilliser and gave them to children at a youth camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two boys aged between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight minors and an older person experienced illness at the location in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he stood at the judicial center on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit one particular crime he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was held in detention prior to a subsequent court date on late November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, detailed Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She explained his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer camp which he operated.
The defendant engaged in a "treat game" with the children, the legal counsel said, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and ask them to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She told the court Ruben had played this game with the boys "for many years", and children had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She stated the man had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had concerns in summer 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "Recently" his stepchild had suspicions about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to investigate in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel stated objects including infant oil, petroleum jelly and injection devices were discovered, and his stepchild alerted the law enforcement about his concerns.
She explained Ruben continued to play the "treat game" with six youngsters that evening - July 26th - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that point," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the events.
The prosecutor said the children were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson called the police again.
She stated the man then conducted the "sweet game" in a space of five children.
