A man who laced candy with sedative and provided them to minors at a summer camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual offences against two young males who were nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight youngsters and one adult became sick at the location in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
Yet, he refused to admit one particular crime he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was held in detention before a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, described the criminal behavior to the court.
She said his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer camp which he operated.
The man engaged in a "candy game" with the children, the prosecutor said, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and tell them to eat sweets "rapidly".
She stated to the judge the defendant had conducted this practice with the young males "over an extended period", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She stated the defendant had been able to explain this for many years as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had concerns in summer 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "Recently" his stepchild had suspicions about the situation, with valid cause.
"They decided to investigate in the individual's items."
The legal counsel explained items including lubricant, petroleum jelly and medical needles were discovered, and his family member contacted the authorities about his concerns.
She said the defendant went on to engage in the "candy game" with six youngsters that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the following morning.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that stage," she continued.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
Mrs Prior stated the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the stepson called the police again.
She said Ruben then engaged in the "candy game" in a space of five youngsters.
