A man who spiked treats with sedative and provided them to children at a youth camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual crimes against two children aged nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight children and one adult became sick at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he stood at the courthouse on recently.
However, he disputed one particular crime he was accused of, which was involving a young boy.
The defendant was held in detention ahead of a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, handling the case, outlined the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She explained his those affected were under-privileged children who were attending a youth camp which he managed.
Ruben engaged in a "sweet game" with the children, the prosecutor said, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and request they to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the defendant had played this game with the boys "for many years", and minors had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She stated the defendant had been capable of justifying this for many years as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had worries in July 2025.
The legal representative continued: "In the summer" his stepchild had suspicions about the activities, justifiably.
"They decided to investigate in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor explained items including lubricant, petroleum jelly and medical needles were located, and his family member contacted the authorities about his concerns.
She stated Ruben went on to play the "sweet game" with six boys that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that time," she added.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was investigating the police response of the incident.
The prosecutor said the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so the family member called the police again.
She explained the defendant then conducted the "treat game" in a room of five minors.
