A man who spiked treats with sedative and distributed them to children at a summer camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offences against two young males who were nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight children and an older person fell ill at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from that region, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he stood at the courthouse on Friday.
However, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was concerning a young boy.
The accused was kept in jail prior to a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, described the defendant's actions to the court.
She said his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a youth camp which he operated.
The man conducted a "sweet game" with the minors, the prosecutor stated, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and request they to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings the man had engaged in this activity with the boys "repeatedly", and minors had previously become sick the next day.
She stated Ruben had been capable of justifying this for many years as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had concerns in summer 2025.
The prosecutor added: "This year his stepson had suspicions about the activities, with valid cause.
"They chose" to investigate in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC explained materials including baby oil, ointment and injection devices were located, and his stepchild contacted the authorities about his worries.
She stated Ruben went on to conduct the "sweet game" with six children that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"The police had not arrived by that time," she added.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, had stated that it was investigating the police response of the events.
Mrs Prior explained the children were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the stepson notified the police again.
She stated the defendant then conducted the "treat game" in a space of five minors.
