A person who spiked sweets with tranquilliser and provided them to children at a summer camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two children both between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight children and one adult became sick at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The elderly man, from that region, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the judicial center on the end of the week.
Yet, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was kept in jail prior to a subsequent court date on late November.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, detailed the defendant's actions to the court.
She said his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a youth camp which he operated.
Ruben engaged in a "treat game" with the children, the legal counsel said, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings the man had played this game with the young males "repeatedly", and children had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She stated Ruben had been able to explain this over a long period as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had concerns in July 2025.
The legal representative added: "In the summer" his stepchild had suspicions about what was going on, for good reason.
"They decided to have a look in the individual's items."
The legal counsel said objects including lubricant, ointment and injection devices were found, and his stepson notified the police about his suspicions.
She stated Ruben went on to conduct the "sweet game" with six children that time - July 26th - and they were all ill the next day.
"Authorities" had not responded by that stage," she added.
The oversight body, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was examining law enforcement's management of the situation.
The prosecutor said the minors were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson notified the police once more.
She said the man then played the "candy game" in a room of five youngsters.
