A man who spiked sweets with tranquilliser and distributed them to youngsters at a summer camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual offences against two children who were between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight minors and a grown-up fell ill at the facility in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from that region, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at the judicial center on Friday.
However, he disputed one particular crime he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The accused was kept in jail prior to a additional proceeding on late November.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, detailed the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She stated his targets were under-privileged children who were attending a youth camp which he managed.
Ruben conducted a "candy game" with the minors, the prosecutor explained, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She told the court the man had played this game with the boys "repeatedly", and children had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She stated Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had suspicions in summer 2025.
The legal representative added: "Recently" his family member had suspicions about what was going on, for good reason.
"They decided to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel said materials including lubricant, petroleum jelly and syringes were discovered, and his stepson notified the authorities about his worries.
She explained the defendant proceeded to play the "sweet game" with six children that time - July 26th - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that stage," she added.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, had stated that it was investigating the police response of the situation.
Mrs Prior explained the youngsters were struggling to walk due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson called the police a second time.
She said the man then engaged in the "sweet game" in a area of five children.
