A man who contaminated sweets with sleeping medication and gave them to minors at a summer camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual crimes against two children both between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight youngsters and one adult became sick at the facility in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the judicial center on recently.
However, he disputed a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was remanded in custody before a further hearing on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, outlined the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She explained his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a youth camp which he managed.
The man played a "treat game" with the children, the prosecutor said, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge the man had conducted this practice with the young males "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She said Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had concerns in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "Recently" his family member had suspicions about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They chose" to examine in the individual's items."
The prosecutor explained materials including infant oil, ointment and medical needles were found, and his stepson alerted the authorities about his concerns.
She stated Ruben continued to conduct the "sweet game" with six children that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"The police had not responded by that time," she continued.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was reviewing the police response of the incident.
The prosecutor stated the children were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson contacted the authorities a second time.
She explained Ruben then engaged in the "sweet game" in a room of five children.
