A person who contaminated candy with tranquilliser and provided them to youngsters at a summer program in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offenses against two boys aged nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight youngsters and a grown-up experienced illness at the facility in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from that region, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
Yet, he disputed one particular crime he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was remanded in custody before a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, outlined Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She said his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer program which he operated.
The man engaged in a "candy game" with the minors, the prosecutor stated, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and request they to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings the man had played this game with the children "for many years", and children had previously become sick the next day.
She said the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had concerns in summer 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "This year his stepchild had suspicions about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They decided to investigate in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC stated materials including lubricant, petroleum jelly and medical needles were located, and his family member alerted the law enforcement about his worries.
She stated Ruben went on to play the "treat game" with six youngsters that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that time," she continued.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the situation.
The legal representative stated the children were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the stepson called the authorities a second time.
She said Ruben then played the "candy game" in a area of five youngsters.
