An individual who spiked treats with tranquilliser and provided them to children at a youth camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offences against two young males both between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight children and a grown-up fell ill at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from that region, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the judicial center on recently.
Nevertheless, he denied one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was kept in jail before a further hearing on late November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, described the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She explained his victims were under-privileged children who were participating in a youth camp which he ran.
Ruben engaged in a "sweet game" with the minors, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and ask them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had conducted this practice with the boys "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She stated the man had been able to explain this for many years as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had worries in summer 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "This year his stepchild had suspicions about what was going on, justifiably.
"They resolved" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor explained objects including baby oil, ointment and syringes were located, and his stepchild contacted the law enforcement about his worries.
She said the defendant went on to play the "sweet game" with six boys that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that stage," she continued.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was investigating the police response of the situation.
Mrs Prior said the minors were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so the family member contacted the law enforcement a second time.
She stated the defendant then played the "treat game" in a space of five minors.
