A man who laced treats with sleeping medication and provided them to youngsters at a youth camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual crimes against two young males who were nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight children and an older person became sick at Stathern Lodge in July.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the judicial center on recently.
Yet, he denied a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was remanded in custody ahead of a further hearing on late November.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, outlined Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She said his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer camp which he ran.
The defendant played a "sweet game" with the minors, the prosecutor explained, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge the man had played this game with the young males "repeatedly", and children had previously fallen ill the next day.
She said the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had suspicions in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "This year his family member had suspicions about the situation, with valid cause.
"They chose" to examine in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC stated objects including baby oil, Vaseline and syringes were located, and his family member contacted the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She stated Ruben went on to conduct the "sweet game" with six boys that night - that Saturday - and they were all sick the following morning.
"The police had not gone out by that time," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, previously told that it was investigating the police response of the events.
The prosecutor stated the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson called the authorities again.
She explained the man then conducted the "candy game" in a room of five children.
