A man who spiked candy with sleeping medication and gave them to children at a summer program in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two children aged nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight minors and an older person became sick at the facility in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from that region, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the judicial center on Friday.
Nevertheless, he disputed a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The accused was kept in jail ahead of a further hearing on late November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, described the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She explained his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a youth camp which he operated.
The defendant engaged in a "sweet game" with the minors, the legal counsel explained, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and ask them to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She told the court the man had engaged in this activity with the boys "repeatedly", and minors had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She stated Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had worries in summer 2025.
The legal representative added: "Recently" his stepchild had worries about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They chose" to have a look in the individual's items."
The prosecutor said materials including infant oil, ointment and medical needles were discovered, and his family member contacted the police about his concerns.
She explained Ruben continued to engage in the "candy game" with six youngsters that evening - July 26th - and they were all ill the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that point," she added.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the incident.
Mrs Prior explained the minors were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the stepson called the authorities again.
She explained the defendant then engaged in the "sweet game" in a area of five youngsters.
