A man who spiked candy with sleeping medication and gave them to children at a summer camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offences against two children aged between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight children and a grown-up fell ill at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he stood at the judicial center on the end of the week.
However, he disputed a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was remanded in custody ahead of a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, outlined Ruben's offending to the court.
She stated his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a youth camp which he ran.
The defendant engaged in a "sweet game" with the children, the legal counsel explained, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to eat sweets "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had conducted this practice with the children "repeatedly", and minors had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She stated the man had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had concerns in July 2025.
The prosecutor added: "This year his family member had suspicions about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They chose" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor explained items including lubricant, Vaseline and medical needles were found, and his stepchild contacted the authorities about his concerns.
She stated Ruben continued to engage in the "treat game" with six boys that evening - July 26th - and they were all ill the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that point," she continued.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
The legal representative stated the children were struggling to walk due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson contacted the authorities a second time.
She said the defendant then conducted the "candy game" in a area of five minors.
