An individual who spiked treats with sleeping medication and distributed them to children at a summer program in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two young males both nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight children and an older person fell ill at the facility in July.
The 76-year-old, from that region, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Yet, he refused to admit one particular crime he was accused of, which was involving a young boy.
The accused was held in detention prior to a subsequent court date on late November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, outlined the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She explained his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer program which he ran.
The man played a "treat game" with the minors, the legal counsel said, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had played this game with the children "for many years", and minors had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She said the man had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had worries in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "In the summer" his family member had worries about what was going on, for good reason.
"They resolved" to investigate in the individual's items."
The prosecutor explained objects including lubricant, ointment and syringes were discovered, and his stepson contacted the authorities about his concerns.
She explained the man went on to conduct the "candy game" with six youngsters that time - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that time," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was reviewing the police response of the situation.
The prosecutor said the minors were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson called the law enforcement once more.
She explained the man then engaged in the "sweet game" in a area of five children.
