An individual who laced sweets with sedative and gave them to youngsters at a youth camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual crimes against two children who were nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight children and a grown-up became sick at the location in July.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
Yet, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old child.
The accused was remanded in custody prior to a further hearing on late November.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, handling the case, detailed Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She said his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a summer camp which he managed.
The man engaged in a "candy game" with the children, the legal counsel said, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to consume candy "rapidly".
She stated to the judge the man had engaged in this activity with the children "for many years", and children had previously become sick the next day.
She said the defendant had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had concerns in July 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "In the summer" his stepson had worries about the situation, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to investigate in the individual's items."
The prosecutor explained items including lubricant, ointment and injection devices were discovered, and his stepchild alerted the police about his concerns.
She stated the defendant went on to engage in the "candy game" with six children that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"The police had not gone out by that stage," she added.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was examining law enforcement's management of the events.
The legal representative explained the children were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so the family member contacted the authorities once more.
She stated the defendant then played the "candy game" in a space of five minors.
