A person who contaminated sweets with tranquilliser and distributed them to youngsters at a youth camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual offenses against two children both nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight youngsters and an older person experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in July.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the judicial center on the end of the week.
Yet, he refused to admit one particular crime he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The accused was remanded in custody before a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, described the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She explained his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer camp which he ran.
Ruben conducted a "candy game" with the minors, the prosecutor said, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were settling down and tell them to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She told the court the defendant had engaged in this activity with the boys "for many years", and children had previously become sick the following morning.
She said the man had been able to explain this repeatedly as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had concerns in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "In the summer" his family member had worries about what was going on, for good reason.
"They chose" to investigate in the individual's items."
The prosecutor said objects including lubricant, Vaseline and injection devices were located, and his stepson notified the authorities about his worries.
She stated Ruben proceeded to engage in the "candy game" with six children that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not responded by that stage," she added.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the events.
The legal representative said the children were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the family member notified the law enforcement a second time.
She said Ruben then engaged in the "candy game" in a space of five children.
