An individual who contaminated treats with sedative and gave them to youngsters at a summer camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual offenses against two children aged between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight youngsters and a grown-up became sick at Stathern Lodge in July.
The senior citizen, from that region, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the courthouse on recently.
Nevertheless, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was held in detention before a further hearing on late November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, described the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She explained his victims were under-privileged children who were staying at a youth camp which he managed.
Ruben conducted a "treat game" with the minors, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and ask them to consume candy "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had engaged in this activity with the children "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the next day.
She explained the man had been capable of justifying this for many years as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had concerns in July 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "This year his family member had concerns about the situation, for good reason.
"They chose" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC stated objects including lubricant, Vaseline and injection devices were discovered, and his family member alerted the police about his suspicions.
She stated Ruben continued to conduct the "treat game" with six children that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that stage," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was investigating the police response of the events.
Mrs Prior stated the minors were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so the stepson called the law enforcement once more.
She said the man then engaged in the "treat game" in a space of five youngsters.
