A person who contaminated candy with sedative and distributed them to children at a youth camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two boys aged nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight children and one adult fell ill at the location in July.
The senior citizen, from that region, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
Yet, he denied one particular crime he was charged with, which was involving a young boy.
Ruben was held in detention before a subsequent court date on late November.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, described the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She stated his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a youth camp which he managed.
Ruben engaged in a "sweet game" with the minors, Mrs Prior said, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to consume candy "rapidly".
She told the court the defendant had played this game with the children "repeatedly", and minors had previously become sick the following morning.
She stated Ruben had been able to explain this over a long period as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had concerns in July 2025.
The legal representative continued: "This year his stepchild had suspicions about the activities, for good reason.
"They decided to examine in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC stated items including baby oil, ointment and medical needles were found, and his stepson contacted the authorities about his concerns.
She explained the defendant went on to play the "sweet game" with six children that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"The police had not gone out by that point," she added.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was examining law enforcement's management of the incident.
The legal representative explained the minors were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the stepson contacted the authorities once more.
She stated Ruben then engaged in the "treat game" in a room of five minors.
