A person who spiked sweets with sedative and distributed them to minors at a summer program in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two boys both nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight children and an older person fell ill at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from that region, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was against a young boy.
Ruben was kept in jail prior to a subsequent court date on late November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, outlined the defendant's actions to the court.
She stated his targets were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer program which he managed.
The man engaged in a "candy game" with the children, the prosecutor explained, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings the man had conducted this practice with the children "repeatedly", and children had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She explained the man had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had suspicions in July 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "In the summer" his family member had suspicions about the activities, with valid cause.
"They chose" to examine in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC explained materials including baby oil, ointment and medical needles were located, and his stepson notified the police about his worries.
She stated the defendant went on to play the "treat game" with six children that evening - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"The police had not arrived by that stage," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, previously told that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the situation.
The legal representative stated the minors were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so the stepson called the authorities a second time.
She explained the man then played the "candy game" in a area of five children.
