A person who laced candy with tranquilliser and provided them to minors at a summer program in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two young males both nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight children and a grown-up became sick at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the courthouse on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he denied one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old child.
The accused was held in detention prior to a further hearing on late November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, described the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She said his victims were under-privileged children who were attending a summer program which he ran.
Ruben conducted a "candy game" with the children, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and request they to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge Ruben had engaged in this activity with the children "over an extended period", and children had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She said Ruben had been able to explain this over a long period as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had worries in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "In the summer" his stepson had suspicions about the situation, justifiably.
"They chose" to investigate in the individual's items."
The prosecutor stated objects including baby oil, petroleum jelly and syringes were found, and his stepson notified the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She explained the defendant continued to conduct the "treat game" with six youngsters that evening - that Saturday - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that point," she continued.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was examining law enforcement's management of the events.
The prosecutor explained the children were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson contacted the authorities once more.
She stated Ruben then conducted the "sweet game" in a room of five children.
