A man who contaminated sweets with sleeping medication and distributed them to minors at a summer program in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two boys aged nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight youngsters and one adult fell ill at the location in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the judicial center on recently.
However, he denied one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was involving a young boy.
Ruben was held in detention ahead of a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, outlined Ruben's offending to the court.
She stated his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a summer program which he managed.
Ruben conducted a "treat game" with the children, the legal counsel said, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and request they to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the defendant had played this game with the young males "over an extended period", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She said the man had been able to explain this for many years as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had suspicions in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "In the summer" his family member had suspicions about the situation, with valid cause.
"They decided to examine in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC said items including lubricant, ointment and injection devices were located, and his stepchild alerted the law enforcement about his concerns.
She said Ruben went on to engage in the "candy game" with six youngsters that evening - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that point," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the situation.
The prosecutor said the children were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the stepson notified the authorities a second time.
She said the defendant then conducted the "sweet game" in a space of five youngsters.
