A person who spiked sweets with sedative and gave them to minors at a youth camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual crimes against two children aged nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight youngsters and an older person experienced illness at the facility in the summer month.
The elderly man, from that region, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the courthouse on recently.
Yet, he denied one particular crime he was facing, which was against a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was remanded in custody prior to a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, outlined the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She stated his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer program which he managed.
The defendant played a "treat game" with the minors, Mrs Prior said, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to consume candy "rapidly".
She stated to the judge the man had conducted this practice with the boys "repeatedly", and minors had previously become sick the next day.
She stated Ruben had been able to explain this over a long period as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had suspicions in summer 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "In the summer" his family member had concerns about the situation, justifiably.
"They decided to have a look in the individual's items."
The legal counsel stated items including infant oil, Vaseline and syringes were discovered, and his family member contacted the law enforcement about his concerns.
She stated Ruben continued to engage in the "treat game" with six youngsters that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"The police had not responded by that point," she continued.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, had stated that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the events.
Mrs Prior stated the children were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the family member contacted the authorities once more.
She explained the man then engaged in the "sweet game" in a space of five minors.
