A person who contaminated treats with tranquilliser and gave them to youngsters at a summer program in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two young males both nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight children and a grown-up fell ill at the facility in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
Yet, he disputed a single sexual charge he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was held in detention before a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, outlined the defendant's actions to the court.
She said his those affected were under-privileged children who were staying at a youth camp which he managed.
Ruben conducted a "treat game" with the minors, the legal counsel explained, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and request they to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the defendant had played this game with the boys "for many years", and children had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She stated the man had been able to explain this over a long period as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had concerns in summer 2025.
The legal representative added: "This year his family member had worries about the situation, justifiably.
"They resolved" to examine in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC explained items including lubricant, ointment and injection devices were found, and his stepchild alerted the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She explained the man went on to play the "sweet game" with six children that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that time," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was reviewing the police response of the events.
Mrs Prior said the children were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson called the law enforcement once more.
She said the man then engaged in the "candy game" in a area of five children.
