An individual who laced sweets with tranquilliser and gave them to minors at a summer program in Leicestershire has admitted sexual offences against two boys aged between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight minors and an older person fell ill at the facility in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from that region, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
However, he refused to admit one particular crime he was charged with, which was involving a young boy.
The accused was kept in jail prior to a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, described Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She said his those affected were under-privileged children who were attending a summer program which he operated.
The man engaged in a "candy game" with the minors, the prosecutor said, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and ask them to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the defendant had played this game with the boys "for many years", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She said the man had been able to explain this over a long period as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had concerns in July 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "This year his family member had suspicions about the situation, for good reason.
"They resolved" to examine in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC said objects including infant oil, ointment and injection devices were found, and his stepson alerted the police about his suspicions.
She said Ruben went on to play the "candy game" with six children that evening - July 26th - and they were all ill the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that point," she added.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, had stated that it was examining law enforcement's management of the situation.
The legal representative said the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson notified the police again.
She said Ruben then played the "candy game" in a room of five minors.
