A man who spiked sweets with sedative and distributed them to minors at a summer program in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two children aged between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight youngsters and an older person experienced illness at the facility in the summer month.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he was present at the courthouse on the end of the week.
However, he disputed one particular crime he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was held in detention ahead of a additional proceeding on late November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, described Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She stated his those affected were under-privileged children who were staying at a youth camp which he managed.
Ruben played a "treat game" with the minors, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and ask them to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She told the court Ruben had engaged in this activity with the boys "over an extended period", and minors had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She explained the man had been capable of justifying this for many years as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had suspicions in July 2025.
The prosecutor added: "This year his family member had worries about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to have a look in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel said materials including baby oil, ointment and medical needles were discovered, and his stepson contacted the authorities about his suspicions.
She explained the defendant went on to conduct the "sweet game" with six children that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that time," she stated further.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, had stated that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
The legal representative said the children were struggling to walk due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson contacted the law enforcement a second time.
She stated Ruben then conducted the "treat game" in a room of five children.
