A man who spiked candy with tranquilliser and distributed them to children at a summer camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual crimes against two boys both between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight minors and an older person became sick at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The elderly man, from that region, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the courthouse on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he disputed one particular crime he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was held in detention prior to a additional proceeding on late November.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, detailed Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She said his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer program which he managed.
The defendant engaged in a "candy game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had played this game with the children "over an extended period", and minors had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She explained Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had concerns in July 2025.
The legal representative continued: "This year his family member had suspicions about the situation, for good reason.
"They decided to have a look in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor said items including infant oil, Vaseline and injection devices were discovered, and his stepson contacted the authorities about his concerns.
She explained the defendant continued to conduct the "sweet game" with six youngsters that night - July 26th - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that point," she added.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the situation.
Mrs Prior stated the children were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the family member contacted the police again.
She stated the man then engaged in the "candy game" in a room of five children.
