A man who laced sweets with sedative and distributed them to youngsters at a summer camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offences against two children who were nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight children and one adult fell ill at the facility in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
However, he refused to admit one particular crime he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was remanded in custody ahead of a additional proceeding on late November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, handling the case, outlined Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She explained his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a summer camp which he ran.
Ruben engaged in a "treat game" with the minors, the prosecutor stated, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to consume candy "rapidly".
She stated to the judge Ruben had engaged in this activity with the boys "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She explained the man had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had suspicions in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "In the summer" his stepchild had worries about the situation, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to examine in the individual's items."
The prosecutor stated objects including lubricant, Vaseline and medical needles were discovered, and his stepchild contacted the law enforcement about his worries.
She stated the man proceeded to play the "treat game" with six boys that evening - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"The police had not gone out by that stage," she added.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was examining the police response of the events.
Mrs Prior stated the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson notified the law enforcement again.
She stated Ruben then played the "candy game" in a space of five minors.
