An individual who spiked candy with tranquilliser and distributed them to youngsters at a summer camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two boys aged nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight youngsters and a grown-up fell ill at the facility in the summer month.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the courthouse on recently.
Yet, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was involving a young boy.
Ruben was held in detention prior to a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, detailed the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She stated his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer program which he ran.
The defendant conducted a "candy game" with the children, the prosecutor said, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge the defendant had played this game with the boys "for many years", and minors had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She said the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had concerns in July 2025.
The prosecutor added: "This year his stepchild had suspicions about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to have a look in the individual's items."
The prosecutor explained items including lubricant, ointment and injection devices were discovered, and his stepson contacted the law enforcement about his worries.
She said the defendant went on to conduct the "candy game" with six youngsters that night - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"The police had not gone out by that time," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was reviewing the police response of the situation.
Mrs Prior explained the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson notified the police a second time.
She said the man then conducted the "treat game" in a room of five minors.
