An individual who spiked treats with sedative and distributed them to minors at a summer program in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual crimes against two children who were between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight children and one adult experienced illness at the facility in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at the judicial center on Friday.
However, he refused to admit one particular crime he was accused of, which was against a young boy.
Ruben was held in detention prior to a further hearing on 28 November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, outlined Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She stated his targets were under-privileged children who were attending a youth camp which he ran.
The man played a "treat game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel explained, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and request they to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge the defendant had engaged in this activity with the young males "over an extended period", and minors had previously become sick the next day.
She stated Ruben had been able to explain this repeatedly as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had worries in July 2025.
The legal representative continued: "Recently" his family member had worries about the activities, for good reason.
"They resolved" to examine in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC explained materials including baby oil, Vaseline and injection devices were discovered, and his stepson contacted the authorities about his concerns.
She explained the defendant went on to conduct the "sweet game" with six children that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the next day.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that point," she added.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, previously told that it was investigating the police response of the situation.
Mrs Prior said the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson notified the police again.
She explained the defendant then played the "candy game" in a area of five children.
