A man who laced sweets with sleeping medication and provided them to youngsters at a youth camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offences against two young males who were nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight minors and a grown-up became sick at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from that region, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the judicial center on recently.
Nevertheless, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was kept in jail ahead of a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, described the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She explained his those affected were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer program which he managed.
Ruben conducted a "treat game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor said, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge Ruben had played this game with the children "over an extended period", and children had previously become sick the next day.
She stated Ruben had been able to explain this for many years as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had concerns in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "In the summer" his stepson had suspicions about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They decided to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor said items including baby oil, Vaseline and medical needles were found, and his stepson notified the authorities about his suspicions.
She stated Ruben went on to play the "sweet game" with six children that evening - July 26th - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not responded by that stage," she added.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, previously told that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
The prosecutor said the children were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so the family member contacted the authorities again.
She said Ruben then engaged in the "treat game" in a area of five children.
