A person who laced treats with sleeping medication and provided them to youngsters at a summer camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual offences against two children both nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight youngsters and one adult experienced illness at the facility in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from that region, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the courthouse on recently.
Nevertheless, he disputed one particular crime he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was held in detention prior to a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, outlined the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She said his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a youth camp which he ran.
Ruben played a "sweet game" with the minors, the prosecutor stated, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and tell them to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had played this game with the young males "over an extended period", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She explained the man had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had suspicions in summer 2025.
The legal representative added: "In the summer" his stepson had concerns about what was going on, for good reason.
"They chose" to examine in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC said objects including lubricant, ointment and medical needles were discovered, and his stepson notified the law enforcement about his concerns.
She said the defendant continued to play the "candy game" with six boys that evening - that Saturday - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that point," she continued.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
Mrs Prior explained the children were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so the stepson called the authorities again.
She explained the man then engaged in the "candy game" in a space of five minors.
