A person who laced treats with sleeping medication and gave them to youngsters at a youth camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two boys aged nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight youngsters and one adult became sick at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the courthouse on recently.
Yet, he disputed one particular crime he was charged with, which was concerning a young boy.
The defendant was kept in jail before a additional proceeding on late November.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, handling the case, described Ruben's offending to the court.
She explained his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer camp which he managed.
The defendant engaged in a "treat game" with the minors, the legal counsel said, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and ask them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She told the court the defendant had engaged in this activity with the boys "repeatedly", and children had previously become sick the next day.
She stated the defendant had been capable of justifying this for many years as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had concerns in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "This year his family member had suspicions about what was going on, justifiably.
"They decided to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor said items including baby oil, Vaseline and injection devices were located, and his stepchild contacted the police about his worries.
She explained the defendant went on to engage in the "treat game" with six boys that night - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"The police had not responded by that stage," she added.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was reviewing the police response of the incident.
The prosecutor explained the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson contacted the police once more.
She explained the man then conducted the "candy game" in a room of five minors.
