A man who spiked candy with sedative and provided them to youngsters at a summer camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two children who were between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight minors and an older person fell ill at the facility in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
However, he refused to admit one particular crime he was facing, which was against a young boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody prior to a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, detailed the defendant's actions to the court.
She stated his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a summer camp which he managed.
The defendant conducted a "sweet game" with the minors, the prosecutor said, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge Ruben had engaged in this activity with the boys "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously become sick the following morning.
She stated the man had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had concerns in summer 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "In the summer" his stepchild had worries about what was going on, justifiably.
"They resolved" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC stated items including lubricant, petroleum jelly and injection devices were discovered, and his stepchild contacted the authorities about his worries.
She stated Ruben went on to play the "treat game" with six boys that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that time," she continued.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, had stated that it was reviewing the police response of the incident.
Mrs Prior explained the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson called the authorities once more.
She stated the defendant then conducted the "candy game" in a area of five minors.
