An individual who spiked sweets with tranquilliser and provided them to children at a summer camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offences against two young males both nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight children and an older person fell ill at the facility in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
Yet, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was remanded in custody ahead of a additional proceeding on late November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, described the defendant's actions to the court.
She explained his targets were under-privileged children who were staying at a youth camp which he operated.
The defendant played a "sweet game" with the children, the legal counsel stated, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to eat sweets "rapidly".
She told the court the defendant had played this game with the young males "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She said the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had concerns in July 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "Recently" his stepchild had suspicions about the situation, justifiably.
"They decided to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC stated objects including baby oil, petroleum jelly and injection devices were discovered, and his family member notified the authorities about his worries.
She explained the defendant continued to play the "sweet game" with six boys that evening - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that stage," she continued.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the incident.
The prosecutor said the children were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the family member notified the authorities a second time.
She stated the defendant then played the "sweet game" in a space of five children.
