An individual who laced sweets with tranquilliser and distributed them to youngsters at a summer program in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two young males both nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight youngsters and one adult became sick at the location in the summer month.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
However, he denied one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was concerning a young boy.
The accused was kept in jail before a further hearing on November 28th.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, handling the case, described the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She explained his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer program which he managed.
The defendant engaged in a "sweet game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior said, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and request they to eat sweets "rapidly".
She told the court the defendant had engaged in this activity with the boys "repeatedly", and minors had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She stated Ruben had been able to explain this over a long period as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had suspicions in July 2025.
The prosecutor added: "This year his stepchild had worries about the activities, justifiably.
"They resolved" to have a look in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC stated materials including baby oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were found, and his stepchild contacted the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She explained Ruben went on to conduct the "treat game" with six boys that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that point," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was investigating the police response of the events.
Mrs Prior explained the minors were struggling to walk due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson notified the police a second time.
She explained the defendant then conducted the "treat game" in a space of five children.
