A person who contaminated sweets with tranquilliser and distributed them to children at a summer camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual crimes against two boys who were between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight minors and a grown-up became sick at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
However, he refused to admit one particular crime he was facing, which was involving a young boy.
Ruben was remanded in custody prior to a further hearing on late November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, described the criminal behavior to the court.
She stated his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a youth camp which he operated.
Ruben conducted a "candy game" with the children, the prosecutor explained, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and ask them to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings the man had conducted this practice with the boys "over an extended period", and minors had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She explained Ruben had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had worries in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "Recently" his family member had suspicions about what was going on, for good reason.
"They decided to examine in the individual's items."
The legal counsel stated items including baby oil, petroleum jelly and injection devices were discovered, and his family member alerted the police about his suspicions.
She stated Ruben continued to conduct the "sweet game" with six children that time - that Saturday - and they were all sick the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that point," she added.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was examining law enforcement's management of the incident.
Mrs Prior stated the children were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the stepson contacted the law enforcement once more.
She said the man then engaged in the "sweet game" in a room of five youngsters.
