A man who contaminated candy with tranquilliser and distributed them to youngsters at a summer program in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two boys aged between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight youngsters and an older person became sick at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the courthouse on Friday.
Nevertheless, he denied one particular crime he was accused of, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was kept in jail before a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, detailed Ruben's offending to the court.
She stated his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a youth camp which he operated.
Ruben played a "candy game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel stated, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She told the court the defendant had played this game with the young males "for many years", and minors had previously become sick the following morning.
She stated the man had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had concerns in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "This year his family member had suspicions about the activities, justifiably.
"They resolved" to investigate in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC explained objects including lubricant, Vaseline and syringes were discovered, and his family member alerted the police about his worries.
She explained Ruben proceeded to conduct the "sweet game" with six boys that time - July 26th - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that stage," she continued.
The oversight body, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
The legal representative explained the minors were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson notified the authorities again.
She explained the defendant then engaged in the "treat game" in a room of five youngsters.
