A person who contaminated treats with sleeping medication and gave them to youngsters at a summer program in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two boys who were between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight children and an older person fell ill at the location in July.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at the courthouse on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he disputed a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody ahead of a additional proceeding on late November.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, described the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She stated his targets were under-privileged children who were attending a summer program which he ran.
The defendant played a "sweet game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor stated, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and tell them to eat sweets "rapidly".
She stated to the judge the man had engaged in this activity with the boys "for many years", and youngsters had previously become sick the next day.
She explained the man had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had concerns in July 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "This year his stepson had worries about the situation, for good reason.
"They decided to examine in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC explained objects including lubricant, ointment and medical needles were discovered, and his stepchild notified the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She explained the defendant proceeded to play the "candy game" with six boys that time - July 26th - and they were all ill the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that time," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
The legal representative said the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so the stepson called the law enforcement a second time.
She explained Ruben then played the "sweet game" in a room of five minors.
