An individual who contaminated treats with tranquilliser and provided them to minors at a youth camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offenses against two children aged nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight children and a grown-up fell ill at the facility in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from that region, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the judicial center on the end of the week.
Yet, he denied one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was kept in jail before a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, outlined the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She said his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer program which he operated.
The defendant played a "candy game" with the children, the legal counsel said, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to consume candy "rapidly".
She stated to the judge the defendant had played this game with the boys "for many years", and children had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She stated the defendant had been able to explain this repeatedly as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had concerns in summer 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "In the summer" his stepson had worries about the situation, for good reason.
"They resolved" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor said materials including infant oil, ointment and medical needles were discovered, and his stepson alerted the authorities about his concerns.
She said Ruben went on to engage in the "candy game" with six children that time - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"The police had not responded by that stage," she continued.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, previously told that it was examining the police response of the situation.
The prosecutor said the minors were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so the stepson called the authorities once more.
She stated Ruben then played the "treat game" in a space of five youngsters.
