A man who contaminated sweets with sedative and provided them to minors at a summer program in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two boys who were nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight children and an older person fell ill at the facility in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
However, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was kept in jail ahead of a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, detailed the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She said his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a youth camp which he managed.
Ruben conducted a "candy game" with the children, the prosecutor stated, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were settling down and ask them to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had played this game with the children "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the next day.
She explained Ruben had been able to explain this over a long period as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had concerns in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "In the summer" his family member had worries about the activities, for good reason.
"They chose" to examine in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC said materials including infant oil, ointment and medical needles were discovered, and his stepchild alerted the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She explained Ruben continued to conduct the "sweet game" with six children that time - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that point," she added.
The oversight body, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the incident.
Mrs Prior explained the minors were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson called the law enforcement a second time.
She explained the defendant then conducted the "sweet game" in a space of five children.