A man who contaminated sweets with tranquilliser and provided 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 detained after eight youngsters and a grown-up fell ill at the location in the summer month.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
However, he refused to admit one particular crime he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was kept in jail ahead of a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, handling the case, described Ruben's offending to the court.
She said his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a summer program which he managed.
Ruben played a "sweet game" with the children, the legal counsel stated, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge the man had conducted this practice with the children "over an extended period", and minors had previously fallen ill the next day.
She explained the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had concerns in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "Recently" his family member had worries about what was going on, for good reason.
"They chose" to examine in the individual's items."
The legal counsel explained materials including baby oil, petroleum jelly and syringes were located, and his stepson notified the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She stated the man went on to conduct the "treat game" with six children that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"The police had not arrived by that stage," she added.
The oversight body, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was investigating the police response of the events.
Mrs Prior said the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the stepson contacted the authorities again.
She stated the defendant then played the "candy game" in a space of five children.
