A man who spiked sweets with tranquilliser and provided them to youngsters at a summer program in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two children aged between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight minors and an older person became sick at the location in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Nevertheless, he denied a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was concerning a young boy.
The defendant was held in detention ahead of a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, described the defendant's actions to the court.
She explained his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a youth camp which he ran.
The man conducted a "treat game" with the minors, the prosecutor explained, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and ask them to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She told the court the defendant had played this game with the young males "for many years", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She stated Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had suspicions in July 2025.
The legal representative added: "Recently" his stepson had worries about the activities, for good reason.
"They resolved" to have a look in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC said items including baby oil, Vaseline and injection devices were located, and his stepson contacted the authorities about his suspicions.
She said the defendant proceeded to play the "candy game" with six children that evening - that Saturday - and they were all ill the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that time," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was reviewing the police response of the situation.
The prosecutor said the children were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the stepson notified the authorities a second time.
She stated the man then played the "sweet game" in a space of five minors.
