An individual who spiked candy with sedative and provided them to youngsters at a youth camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual crimes against two boys aged nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight children and an older person experienced illness at the facility in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from that region, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at the courthouse on Friday.
Yet, he denied one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was held in detention before a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, outlined the defendant's actions to the court.
She explained his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a summer program which he operated.
The man conducted a "sweet game" with the children, the prosecutor stated, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were settling down and ask them to eat sweets "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had engaged in this activity with the children "for many years", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She stated the defendant had been able to explain this repeatedly as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had suspicions in July 2025.
The legal representative continued: "Recently" his stepchild had suspicions about the activities, for good reason.
"They resolved" to examine in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC said objects including infant oil, petroleum jelly and syringes were discovered, and his stepchild contacted the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She stated the defendant went on to engage in the "treat game" with six youngsters that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"Authorities" had not responded by that point," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, previously told that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the situation.
The legal representative explained the children were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the stepson notified the authorities a second time.
She explained the man then engaged in the "treat game" in a space of five children.
