A man who contaminated sweets with sedative and provided them to youngsters at a summer program in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offenses against two boys both nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight minors and an older person experienced illness at the location in July.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the courthouse on recently.
However, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was remanded in custody ahead of a further hearing on late November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, detailed the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She stated his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer program which he ran.
The defendant played a "treat game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor stated, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge Ruben had conducted this practice with the children "repeatedly", and children had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She stated Ruben had been able to explain this repeatedly as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had concerns in July 2025.
The prosecutor added: "This year his stepson had worries about the activities, with valid cause.
"They chose" to investigate in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel explained items including baby oil, Vaseline and injection devices were found, and his family member notified the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She said the man continued to conduct the "treat game" with six youngsters that evening - that Saturday - and they were all ill the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that point," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
Mrs Prior stated the children were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson contacted the authorities again.
She explained the defendant then conducted the "candy game" in a room of five youngsters.
