A man who laced candy with sleeping medication and gave them to minors at a youth camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offenses against two boys who were nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight minors and a grown-up experienced illness at the facility in the summer month.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the judicial center on Friday.
However, he disputed a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was remanded in custody prior to a further hearing on late November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, outlined Ruben's offending to the court.
She stated his targets were under-privileged children who were staying at a youth camp which he managed.
The defendant engaged in a "candy game" with the minors, the legal counsel said, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and ask them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She told the court Ruben had engaged in this activity with the boys "repeatedly", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She stated the man had been able to explain this repeatedly as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had worries in summer 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "This year his stepson had concerns about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They decided to examine in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor said materials including infant oil, ointment and medical needles were located, and his stepson notified the law enforcement about his worries.
She said Ruben continued to engage in the "sweet game" with six youngsters that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that stage," she added.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was examining the police response of the situation.
The prosecutor explained the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the family member contacted the law enforcement once more.
She explained the defendant then conducted the "sweet game" in a area of five minors.
