A person who spiked treats with tranquilliser and gave them to children at a youth camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two children both nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight minors and an older person became sick at the location in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the courthouse on Friday.
Yet, he denied a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was concerning a young boy.
The defendant was held in detention before a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, described Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She said his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a youth camp which he ran.
The defendant conducted a "candy game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were settling down and tell them to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the defendant had conducted this practice with the children "for many years", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She said Ruben had been able to explain this over a long period as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had worries in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "Recently" his stepson had suspicions about the activities, justifiably.
"They decided to investigate in the individual's items."
The legal counsel stated objects including baby oil, Vaseline and medical needles were discovered, and his stepson contacted the police about his suspicions.
She explained the defendant went on to conduct the "treat game" with six youngsters that night - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that point," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the situation.
The prosecutor said the children were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so the stepson called the authorities once more.
She explained the defendant then conducted the "treat game" in a room of five children.
