A person who spiked treats with tranquilliser and provided them to children at a summer camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offenses against two boys who were nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight minors and a grown-up experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the courthouse on Friday.
However, he denied one particular crime he was facing, which was concerning a young boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody ahead of a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, detailed the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She explained his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer camp which he ran.
The defendant engaged in a "sweet game" with the minors, the legal counsel stated, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were settling down and request they to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings the man had played this game with the young males "over an extended period", and minors had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She said the man had been capable of justifying this for many years as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had worries in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "Recently" his family member had suspicions about the activities, justifiably.
"They resolved" to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor stated items including infant oil, Vaseline and syringes were discovered, and his family member contacted the authorities about his worries.
She said the defendant proceeded to engage in the "sweet game" with six youngsters that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the following morning.
"The police had not arrived by that stage," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
Mrs Prior stated the minors were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson contacted the police again.
She stated the man then engaged in the "treat game" in a room of five children.
