An individual who contaminated candy with tranquilliser and provided them to youngsters at a summer program in Leicestershire has admitted sexual crimes against two young males aged nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight children and a grown-up fell ill at Stathern Lodge in July.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the courthouse on recently.
However, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was facing, which was involving a young boy.
The accused was kept in jail ahead of a further hearing on November 28th.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, described Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She stated his targets were under-privileged children who were attending a summer program which he ran.
Ruben played a "treat game" with the minors, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had conducted this practice with the children "over an extended period", and minors had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She said the man had been able to explain this for many years as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had concerns in summer 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "In the summer" his stepson had worries about the situation, with valid cause.
"They decided to have a look in the individual's items."
The prosecutor explained objects including baby oil, ointment and injection devices were located, and his stepchild notified the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She said Ruben went on to conduct the "sweet game" with six youngsters that time - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that time," she stated further.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
Mrs Prior said the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so the family member called the police a second time.
She stated the defendant then conducted the "treat game" in a area of five minors.
