An individual who contaminated sweets with sedative and gave them to youngsters at a summer camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual offences against two young males aged nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight youngsters and a grown-up became sick at the location in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the judicial center on the end of the week.
However, he refused to admit one particular crime he was accused of, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was kept in jail ahead of a further hearing on late November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, outlined the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She explained his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a youth camp which he operated.
The defendant conducted a "candy game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and request they to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She told the court Ruben had engaged in this activity with the young males "for many years", and minors had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She stated Ruben had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had worries in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "Recently" his family member had concerns about the activities, with valid cause.
"They chose" to have a look in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel stated items including lubricant, ointment and syringes were located, and his stepson alerted the law enforcement about his concerns.
She stated the man continued to engage in the "treat game" with six boys that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that point," she added.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, had stated that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
Mrs Prior explained the minors were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the family member contacted the authorities again.
She explained the man then conducted the "candy game" in a space of five minors.
