A man who laced candy with sedative and distributed them to youngsters at a summer program in Leicestershire has admitted sexual crimes against two boys aged between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight youngsters and an older person experienced illness at the facility in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from that region, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he was present at the courthouse on Friday.
Yet, he denied one particular crime he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was held in detention before a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, outlined Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She explained his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a youth camp which he operated.
The defendant played a "sweet game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel explained, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were settling down and request they to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge Ruben had played this game with the boys "over an extended period", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She said the defendant had been able to explain this repeatedly as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had concerns in summer 2025.
The legal representative continued: "Recently" his family member had suspicions about the activities, for good reason.
"They resolved" to examine in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC explained objects including baby oil, petroleum jelly and syringes were discovered, and his family member alerted the authorities about his suspicions.
She stated the defendant continued to engage in the "candy game" with six children that time - that Saturday - and they were all ill the next day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that point," she added.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, previously told that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
The prosecutor stated the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson contacted the law enforcement a second time.
She said Ruben then conducted the "candy game" in a area of five children.
