A person who contaminated sweets with sedative and provided them to minors at a summer program in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two boys aged between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight minors and one adult became sick at the facility in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
Yet, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was involving a young boy.
Ruben was kept in jail ahead of a further hearing on November 28th.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, detailed the defendant's actions to the court.
She stated his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a summer camp which he ran.
Ruben engaged in a "treat game" with the children, the prosecutor said, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and request they to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had conducted this practice with the children "for many years", and minors had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She stated the defendant had been able to explain this for many years as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had suspicions in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "Recently" his family member had concerns about the situation, for good reason.
"They chose" to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor said materials including baby oil, ointment and injection devices were discovered, and his stepchild contacted the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She said Ruben proceeded to conduct the "treat game" with six boys that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the following morning.
"Authorities" had not responded by that stage," she stated further.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was examining the police response of the events.
Mrs Prior stated the children were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the family member contacted the police a second time.
She stated the defendant then played the "sweet game" in a space of five youngsters.
