A man who laced candy with sedative and gave them to children at a youth camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offenses against two children both nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight minors and an older person experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in July.
The 76-year-old, from that region, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was kept in jail ahead of a additional proceeding on late November.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, handling the case, outlined the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She said his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a summer camp which he ran.
The man engaged in a "treat game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She stated to the judge the defendant had played this game with the children "over an extended period", and minors had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She stated the man had been able to explain this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had suspicions in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "This year his stepchild had suspicions about the situation, justifiably.
"They decided to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor explained items including infant oil, Vaseline and medical needles were found, and his stepson contacted the law enforcement about his worries.
She said the defendant continued to conduct the "candy game" with six children that night - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"The police had not gone out by that stage," she continued.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was examining law enforcement's management of the incident.
The prosecutor stated the minors were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson called the police a second time.
She said the defendant then engaged in the "candy game" in a area of five children.
