A man who contaminated treats with tranquilliser and distributed them to children at a summer program in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two boys who were between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight children and one adult experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The elderly man, from that region, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the judicial center on Friday.
However, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was against a young boy.
Ruben was held in detention before a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, detailed the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She explained his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a youth camp which he ran.
Ruben engaged in a "candy game" with the children, the prosecutor said, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were settling down and ask them to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had engaged in this activity with the young males "for many years", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She stated the defendant had been able to explain this repeatedly as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had suspicions in July 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "In the summer" his stepson had worries about the situation, justifiably.
"They resolved" to have a look in the individual's items."
The prosecutor explained objects including baby oil, Vaseline and syringes were located, and his stepchild contacted the authorities about his suspicions.
She stated Ruben continued to conduct the "sweet game" with six boys that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that point," she added.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was examining the police response of the incident.
Mrs Prior stated the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson contacted the law enforcement again.
She said Ruben then engaged in the "sweet game" in a space of five children.
