A person who spiked sweets with tranquilliser and gave them to minors at a youth camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual crimes against two young males who were nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight children and an older person fell ill at the location in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the courthouse on Friday.
Nevertheless, he disputed one particular crime he was facing, which was against a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was remanded in custody ahead of a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, described Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She said his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a summer camp which he ran.
The defendant engaged in a "candy game" with the children, the prosecutor said, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She stated to the judge Ruben had played this game with the children "over an extended period", and minors had previously become sick the following morning.
She stated the defendant had been capable of justifying this for many years as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had suspicions in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "In the summer" his family member had concerns about the activities, justifiably.
"They decided to examine in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC said materials including baby oil, ointment and medical needles were found, and his stepson alerted the authorities about his worries.
She stated Ruben went on to play the "sweet game" with six children that time - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"The police had not arrived by that stage," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, previously told that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
The legal representative explained the minors were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so the family member called the authorities once more.
She stated Ruben then played the "sweet game" in a room of five minors.
