A person who contaminated treats with sleeping medication and distributed them to children at a summer camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offences against two young males both between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight children and an older person became sick at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Nevertheless, he denied one particular crime he was accused of, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was held in detention before a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, described Ruben's offending to the court.
She stated his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a youth camp which he operated.
The defendant played a "sweet game" with the children, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings the man had played this game with the boys "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously become sick the following morning.
She explained Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had suspicions in July 2025.
The legal representative added: "Recently" his family member had concerns about what was going on, justifiably.
"They resolved" to investigate in the individual's items."
The prosecutor explained items including baby oil, ointment and injection devices were found, and his stepson contacted the authorities about his concerns.
She stated Ruben went on to play the "candy game" with six boys that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that point," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was investigating the police response of the incident.
The legal representative stated the children were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the family member contacted the authorities again.
She stated Ruben then engaged in the "candy game" in a space of five youngsters.
