A person who spiked treats with sedative and distributed them to youngsters at a youth camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offences against two boys who were between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight youngsters and one adult experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from that region, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at the judicial center on recently.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was remanded in custody before a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, described Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She stated his victims were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer program which he operated.
Ruben engaged in a "treat game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She told the court the defendant had engaged in this activity with the children "repeatedly", and minors had previously fallen ill the next day.
She said the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had concerns in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "In the summer" his family member had suspicions about the situation, with valid cause.
"They decided to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor explained materials including infant oil, petroleum jelly and syringes were found, and his stepson contacted the law enforcement about his worries.
She explained the man continued to play the "sweet game" with six children that evening - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that point," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, previously told that it was investigating the police response of the incident.
Mrs Prior stated the minors were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so the stepson called the authorities once more.
She said Ruben then engaged in the "candy game" in a room of five minors.
