A person who laced sweets with sedative and distributed them to minors at a youth camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual crimes against two boys aged nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight minors and a grown-up became sick at the location in July.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the courthouse on the end of the week.
However, he denied a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was against a young boy.
Ruben was remanded in custody prior to a further hearing on 28 November.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, outlined the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She stated his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a summer program which he managed.
Ruben conducted a "candy game" with the minors, the prosecutor stated, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to consume candy "rapidly".
She stated to the judge the man had conducted this practice with the children "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the next day.
She said the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had suspicions in July 2025.
The legal representative added: "In the summer" his stepchild had concerns about what was going on, justifiably.
"They decided to investigate in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel explained items including infant oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were discovered, and his family member contacted the police about his worries.
She stated Ruben continued to play the "candy game" with six children that night - that Saturday - and they were all ill the following morning.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that point," she added.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was reviewing the police response of the events.
The prosecutor said the minors were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the family member notified the law enforcement a second time.
She said the defendant then engaged in the "treat game" in a area of five minors.
