An individual who spiked candy with sleeping medication and gave them to youngsters at a youth camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two boys both between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight children and a grown-up became sick at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from that region, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the courthouse on the end of the week.
Yet, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was against a nine-year-old child.
The accused was held in detention ahead of a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, described the defendant's actions to the court.
She stated his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer program which he managed.
The defendant engaged in a "candy game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor said, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and request they to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She told the court the man had engaged in this activity with the boys "for many years", and minors had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She stated Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had suspicions in July 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "In the summer" his stepson had concerns about the activities, justifiably.
"They chose" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC said objects including baby oil, Vaseline and syringes were located, and his stepson alerted the police about his suspicions.
She stated the defendant proceeded to play the "candy game" with six youngsters that night - that Saturday - and they were all ill the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that point," she added.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the situation.
The prosecutor stated the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the family member contacted the police a second time.
She said the defendant then engaged in the "treat game" in a room of five minors.
