An individual who contaminated treats with tranquilliser and gave them to children at a youth camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two boys aged between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight minors and one adult fell ill at the facility in July.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the courthouse on Friday.
Yet, he denied one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was held in detention ahead of a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, detailed the criminal behavior to the court.
She explained his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer camp which he managed.
The defendant played a "treat game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had played this game with the young males "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She said the man had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had worries in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "This year his stepson had worries about the activities, justifiably.
"They chose" to have a look in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC stated materials including baby oil, ointment and injection devices were located, and his family member contacted the police about his suspicions.
She said the man continued to play the "sweet game" with six boys that night - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"The police had not arrived by that stage," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
The legal representative said the minors were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson contacted the law enforcement once more.
She said the man then engaged in the "candy game" in a room of five youngsters.
