A man who contaminated candy with sedative and provided them to minors at a summer program in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two boys who were between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight youngsters and one adult became sick at the facility in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he was present at the judicial center on Friday.
Yet, he disputed a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was concerning a young boy.
The accused was held in detention prior to a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, outlined the defendant's actions to the court.
She stated his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a youth camp which he managed.
The defendant engaged in a "sweet game" with the children, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and ask them to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the man had conducted this practice with the children "over an extended period", and children had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She stated Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had suspicions in July 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "This year his stepchild had concerns about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They chose" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel said materials including baby oil, ointment and injection devices were located, and his stepchild notified the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She explained the man went on to conduct the "candy game" with six boys that evening - that Saturday - and they were all sick the next day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that time," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, had stated that it was examining law enforcement's management of the events.
The legal representative said the children were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so the family member notified the authorities once more.
She said the defendant then played the "sweet game" in a room of five minors.
