A person who laced candy with sleeping medication and distributed them to children at a youth camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual offences against two young males aged nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight children and one adult experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
However, he denied one particular crime he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody ahead of a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, outlined the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She said his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a youth camp which he ran.
The defendant engaged in a "sweet game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel stated, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to consume candy "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had engaged in this activity with the boys "over an extended period", and minors had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She said Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had concerns in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "In the summer" his stepchild had suspicions about the activities, with valid cause.
"They chose" to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor said materials including lubricant, petroleum jelly and injection devices were located, and his stepchild alerted the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She explained the defendant proceeded to conduct the "sweet game" with six youngsters that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that stage," she stated further.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, previously told that it was examining the police response of the situation.
The prosecutor explained the minors were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so the family member notified the police again.
She stated Ruben then played the "candy game" in a room of five children.
