A man who laced candy with tranquilliser and gave them to youngsters at a youth camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two children aged nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight children and a grown-up became sick at Stathern Lodge in July.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the judicial center on recently.
Nevertheless, he disputed a single sexual charge he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was kept in jail ahead of a further hearing on November 28th.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, outlined the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She stated his those affected were under-privileged children who were attending a summer program which he ran.
The man played a "sweet game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor stated, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had engaged in this activity with the children "over an extended period", and children had previously become sick the next day.
She stated the man had been able to explain this repeatedly as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had worries in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "Recently" his stepson had suspicions about what was going on, justifiably.
"They chose" to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor stated items including baby oil, ointment and injection devices were located, and his stepson contacted the authorities about his worries.
She said the defendant went on to conduct the "treat game" with six boys that time - July 26th - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not responded by that point," she added.
The oversight body, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was examining the police response of the incident.
The prosecutor said the children were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the family member contacted the police a second time.
She stated the man then conducted the "sweet game" in a area of five minors.
