A person who laced candy with sleeping medication and distributed them to minors at a summer camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two boys who were between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight youngsters and one adult became sick at the location in the summer month.
The elderly man, from that region, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Nevertheless, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was against a young boy.
Ruben was remanded in custody ahead of a further hearing on late November.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, described the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She said his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer program which he ran.
Ruben played a "candy game" with the minors, the prosecutor stated, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and tell them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She stated to the judge Ruben had conducted this practice with the boys "for many years", and youngsters had previously become sick the following morning.
She stated Ruben had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had worries in summer 2025.
The legal representative added: "In the summer" his stepson had suspicions about the situation, with valid cause.
"They decided to have a look in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel explained objects including baby oil, petroleum jelly and syringes were discovered, and his stepchild notified the law enforcement about his worries.
She explained Ruben proceeded to play the "sweet game" with six boys that evening - that Saturday - and they were all ill the following morning.
"Authorities" had not responded by that time," she added.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the incident.
The prosecutor stated the youngsters were struggling to walk due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson called the law enforcement once more.
She stated the defendant then played the "treat game" in a area of five minors.
