A person who spiked treats with sedative and distributed them to youngsters at a youth camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual offenses against two children who were nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight minors and one adult fell ill at the location in the summer month.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
However, he denied a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was involving a young boy.
The accused was kept in jail prior to a further hearing on late November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, described the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She explained his victims were under-privileged children who were attending a youth camp which he ran.
The defendant conducted a "treat game" with the children, the legal counsel said, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She told the court the man had engaged in this activity with the boys "over an extended period", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She said Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had worries in summer 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "In the summer" his family member had suspicions about the activities, justifiably.
"They chose" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC stated materials including infant oil, Vaseline and injection devices were discovered, and his stepchild notified the law enforcement about his worries.
She explained the man went on to play the "treat game" with six boys that evening - that Saturday - and they were all sick the next day.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that stage," she stated further.
The oversight body, the investigative body, previously told that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the situation.
The prosecutor said the minors were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so the stepson called the law enforcement again.
She stated the man then engaged in the "candy game" in a area of five minors.
