A person who contaminated treats with tranquilliser and provided them to minors at a summer program in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two young males aged between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight minors and an older person experienced illness at the location in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from that region, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at the courthouse on Friday.
Yet, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was concerning a young boy.
The defendant was held in detention ahead of a further hearing on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, handling the case, outlined Ruben's offending to the court.
She said his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a summer camp which he operated.
The man engaged in a "candy game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor stated, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were settling down and request they to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had engaged in this activity with the boys "for many years", and children had previously become sick the following morning.
She explained the man had been able to explain this repeatedly as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had suspicions in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "In the summer" his family member had suspicions about the situation, justifiably.
"They resolved" to have a look in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor explained materials including infant oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were found, and his stepchild alerted the law enforcement about his concerns.
She explained Ruben went on to engage in the "treat game" with six boys that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not responded by that time," she continued.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
The legal representative said the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so the family member called the law enforcement a second time.
She said the man then played the "treat game" in a room of five minors.
