A man who laced candy with sleeping medication and distributed them to minors at a summer program in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual crimes against two young males both nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight youngsters and a grown-up became sick at the location in the summer month.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
However, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The accused was remanded in custody before a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, described the criminal behavior to the court.
She stated his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a youth camp which he operated.
Ruben conducted a "sweet game" with the minors, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to consume candy "rapidly".
She told the court Ruben had engaged in this activity with the young males "over an extended period", and children had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She stated the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had worries in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "In the summer" his stepson had concerns about the activities, with valid cause.
"They decided to examine in the individual's items."
The prosecutor said items including lubricant, ointment and syringes were discovered, and his family member alerted the authorities about his suspicions.
She stated the man continued to engage in the "candy game" with six boys that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the next day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that time," she added.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the events.
The prosecutor stated the children were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the stepson contacted the law enforcement again.
She stated the defendant then conducted the "sweet game" in a space of five youngsters.
