A person who laced sweets with tranquilliser and provided them to minors at a youth camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two children who were between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight minors and a grown-up fell ill at the location in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was remanded in custody prior to a subsequent court date on late November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, detailed Ruben's offending to the court.
She said his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer camp which he managed.
Ruben engaged in a "sweet game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel said, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and request they to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She told the court Ruben had played this game with the boys "over an extended period", and children had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She stated the defendant had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had worries in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "Recently" his family member had concerns about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They decided to investigate in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC said objects including baby oil, Vaseline and medical needles were found, and his stepchild notified the authorities about his worries.
She explained the defendant went on to play the "sweet game" with six children that evening - that Saturday - and they were all sick the following morning.
"The police had not arrived by that point," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, previously told that it was reviewing the police response of the incident.
The legal representative said the minors were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so the family member called the police again.
She explained the man then played the "sweet game" in a space of five youngsters.
