A person who laced candy with sleeping medication and gave them to children at a youth camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual crimes against two boys who were nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight minors and one adult experienced illness at the location in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from that region, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the courthouse on Friday.
Yet, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was involving a young boy.
The accused was kept in jail ahead of a further hearing on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, described the defendant's actions to the court.
She stated his targets were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer program which he ran.
The defendant conducted a "treat game" with the children, the prosecutor explained, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the man had conducted this practice with the young males "over an extended period", and children had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She said Ruben had been able to explain this for many years as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had concerns in summer 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "In the summer" his stepson had worries about what was going on, justifiably.
"They chose" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor explained materials including infant oil, Vaseline and injection devices were found, and his stepson alerted the law enforcement about his worries.
She said Ruben continued to conduct the "treat game" with six boys that evening - that Saturday - and they were all sick the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that time," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, previously told that it was examining law enforcement's management of the events.
Mrs Prior stated the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson contacted the law enforcement again.
She said Ruben then conducted the "candy game" in a space of five children.
