A person who laced sweets with tranquilliser and distributed them to minors at a youth camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual offenses against two young males aged between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight youngsters and a grown-up fell ill at the facility in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from that region, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the courthouse on recently.
However, he disputed one particular crime he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was remanded in custody prior to a further hearing on late November.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, handling the case, detailed the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She explained his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a summer camp which he ran.
The man engaged in a "candy game" with the minors, Mrs Prior said, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and request they to consume candy "rapidly".
She stated to the judge the defendant had engaged in this activity with the young males "repeatedly", and children had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She said the man had been able to explain this repeatedly as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had concerns in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "This year his family member had concerns about the situation, for good reason.
"They chose" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor said materials including lubricant, Vaseline and medical needles were found, and his stepson contacted the law enforcement about his worries.
She stated the defendant went on to engage in the "sweet game" with six youngsters that evening - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"Authorities" had not responded by that point," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was examining the police response of the events.
The prosecutor said the minors were struggling to walk due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson notified the law enforcement again.
She stated the man then engaged in the "treat game" in a area of five youngsters.
