A man who contaminated treats with sleeping medication and provided them to minors at a summer camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offenses against two children aged nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight minors and one adult fell ill at the location in the summer month.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he stood at the courthouse on Friday.
Nevertheless, he denied one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was concerning a young boy.
Ruben was remanded in custody before a additional proceeding on late November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, outlined Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She stated his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a youth camp which he operated.
The man engaged in a "sweet game" with the minors, the prosecutor said, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had conducted this practice with the boys "repeatedly", and minors had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She said Ruben had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had concerns in July 2025.
The legal representative continued: "In the summer" his family member had worries about the situation, for good reason.
"They decided to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC stated objects including baby oil, Vaseline and medical needles were found, and his family member contacted the police about his suspicions.
She explained the defendant went on to conduct the "treat game" with six boys that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that point," she added.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
The prosecutor stated the youngsters were struggling to walk due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson notified the authorities once more.
She explained the defendant then engaged in the "treat game" in a space of five minors.
