A man who contaminated candy with sedative and provided them to minors at a youth camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual crimes against two young males aged between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight minors and an older person experienced illness at the facility in the summer month.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
Yet, he denied one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was kept in jail ahead of a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, detailed the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She stated his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer program which he managed.
The man conducted a "sweet game" with the children, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had played this game with the young males "over an extended period", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She said the defendant had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had suspicions in July 2025.
The legal representative added: "In the summer" his family member had worries about the situation, justifiably.
"They resolved" to have a look in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel stated items including lubricant, petroleum jelly and injection devices were found, and his stepchild notified the law enforcement about his concerns.
She stated Ruben went on to play the "treat game" with six youngsters that night - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"The police had not arrived by that time," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, had stated that it was examining law enforcement's management of the events.
The prosecutor said the minors were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the stepson called the police a second time.
She explained the man then engaged in the "treat game" in a area of five youngsters.
