A man who spiked treats with sedative and gave them to youngsters at a summer program in Leicestershire has admitted sexual offenses against two young males aged nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight children and one adult became sick at Stathern Lodge in July.
The 76-year-old, from that region, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he disputed one particular crime he was accused of, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was held in detention before a additional proceeding on late November.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, described Ruben's offending to the court.
She explained his those affected were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer camp which he ran.
The defendant conducted a "candy game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor explained, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and request they to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had played this game with the children "for many years", and children had previously become sick the next day.
She stated Ruben had been able to explain this over a long period as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had suspicions in summer 2025.
The legal representative added: "This year his stepson had suspicions about the situation, with valid cause.
"They chose" to investigate in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC stated objects including infant oil, Vaseline and syringes were found, and his stepson alerted the police about his worries.
She said the defendant continued to play the "candy game" with six youngsters that night - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that point," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
The prosecutor stated the children were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so the stepson called the authorities again.
She stated Ruben then engaged in the "sweet game" in a room of five youngsters.
