A person who spiked candy with tranquilliser and provided them to youngsters at a summer camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offences against two children aged between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight minors and an older person became sick at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit one particular crime he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was remanded in custody prior to a further hearing on late November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, described Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She stated his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a summer camp which he ran.
The defendant engaged in a "treat game" with the children, the legal counsel explained, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and request they to consume candy "rapidly".
She stated to the judge Ruben had played this game with the boys "over an extended period", and minors had previously become sick the next day.
She said the man had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had concerns in summer 2025.
The prosecutor added: "In the summer" his stepchild had concerns about what was going on, justifiably.
"They decided to have a look in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC explained items including baby oil, Vaseline and medical needles were discovered, and his family member contacted the authorities about his concerns.
She said the defendant went on to conduct the "treat game" with six boys that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that stage," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
The prosecutor explained the children were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so the family member called the authorities once more.
She said the defendant then engaged in the "treat game" in a space of five minors.
