A man who laced sweets with sleeping medication and gave them to youngsters at a youth camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual offences against two boys who were between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight youngsters and a grown-up fell ill at the location in July.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he stood at the judicial center on Friday.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit one particular crime he was facing, which was concerning a young boy.
The accused was remanded in custody prior to a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, detailed Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She said his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a youth camp which he ran.
The man conducted a "candy game" with the children, the prosecutor said, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and ask them to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had played this game with the young males "repeatedly", and minors had previously fallen ill the next day.
She stated Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had worries in summer 2025.
The legal representative continued: "Recently" his family member had worries about what was going on, for good reason.
"They chose" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC explained materials including infant oil, Vaseline and syringes were located, and his stepson alerted the authorities about his suspicions.
She explained the defendant proceeded to play the "sweet game" with six children that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the next day.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that stage," she added.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, previously told that it was reviewing the police response of the situation.
Mrs Prior said the children were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson contacted the police a second time.
She explained the man then played the "sweet game" in a space of five youngsters.
