A man who laced sweets with tranquilliser and provided them to minors at a summer program in Leicestershire has admitted sexual offenses against two children aged between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight minors and a grown-up experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
However, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was held in detention prior to a further hearing on late November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, outlined Ruben's offending to the court.
She stated his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer program which he operated.
Ruben played a "sweet game" with the children, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to eat sweets "rapidly".
She told the court Ruben had conducted this practice with the young males "for many years", and children had previously become sick the following morning.
She said the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had concerns in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "In the summer" his stepson had concerns about the activities, justifiably.
"They resolved" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor stated materials including infant oil, ointment and syringes were discovered, and his stepchild contacted the police about his concerns.
She explained Ruben went on to play the "candy game" with six boys that time - July 26th - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that time," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was investigating the police response of the situation.
The prosecutor explained the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the family member called the law enforcement again.
She explained the defendant then conducted the "candy game" in a area of five minors.
