A man who contaminated treats with tranquilliser and gave them to youngsters at a summer camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual offences against two young males both nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight children and an older person became sick at Stathern Lodge in July.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the courthouse on recently.
Nevertheless, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old child.
The accused was remanded in custody before a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, detailed the criminal behavior to the court.
She said his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer camp which he operated.
The defendant engaged in a "treat game" with the children, the legal counsel said, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to consume candy "rapidly".
She stated to the judge the man had conducted this practice with the boys "repeatedly", and children had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She stated the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had concerns in summer 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "This year his stepson had concerns about the activities, justifiably.
"They chose" to have a look in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor said items including lubricant, ointment and medical needles were found, and his stepchild notified the police about his suspicions.
She stated the man continued to play the "candy game" with six boys that evening - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"The police had not arrived by that time," she added.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was examining the police response of the situation.
The legal representative explained the minors were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so the stepson notified the police again.
She stated the man then played the "sweet game" in a room of five minors.
