An individual who laced sweets with sleeping medication and provided them to minors at a summer program in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two boys who were nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight minors and one adult fell ill at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the courthouse on the end of the week.
Yet, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was involving a young boy.
The accused was remanded in custody before a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, detailed the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She said his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer camp which he operated.
The defendant played a "treat game" with the children, the legal counsel explained, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She told the court the man had conducted this practice with the children "over an extended period", and minors had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She explained the defendant had been able to explain this for many years as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had concerns in summer 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "This year his family member had suspicions about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They chose" to investigate in the individual's items."
The prosecutor stated objects including infant oil, Vaseline and syringes were found, and his stepchild alerted the law enforcement about his worries.
She said the man continued to conduct the "treat game" with six boys that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that time," she continued.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
Mrs Prior explained the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the family member notified the law enforcement again.
She explained the defendant then played the "candy game" in a space of five children.
