An individual who laced candy with sleeping medication and distributed them to youngsters at a youth camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual crimes against two boys who were nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight children and an older person became sick at the facility in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the judicial center on recently.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was kept in jail before a further hearing on November 28th.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, described the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She stated his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer camp which he ran.
Ruben conducted a "candy game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor said, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and ask them to consume candy "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings the man had engaged in this activity with the children "over an extended period", and minors had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She said the defendant had been able to explain this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had worries in July 2025.
The prosecutor added: "This year his stepson had concerns about the situation, with valid cause.
"They chose" to investigate in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel stated materials including baby oil, Vaseline and injection devices were found, and his stepson notified the law enforcement about his worries.
She said the man went on to play the "candy game" with six boys that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the next day.
"The police had not responded by that point," she continued.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, previously told that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
Mrs Prior said the children were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so the family member notified the law enforcement again.
She explained Ruben then played the "candy game" in a space of five youngsters.
