A man who contaminated sweets with tranquilliser and gave them to children at a youth camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offenses against two children both between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight youngsters and a grown-up became sick at Stathern Lodge in July.
The 76-year-old, from that region, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at the courthouse on the end of the week.
However, he refused to admit one particular crime he was accused of, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody prior to a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, handling the case, detailed the criminal behavior to the court.
She said his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer camp which he managed.
The defendant conducted a "candy game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the defendant had played this game with the boys "repeatedly", and minors had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She said the man had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had concerns in July 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "In the summer" his stepson had suspicions about what was going on, for good reason.
"They chose" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor explained materials including baby oil, Vaseline and syringes were located, and his stepson contacted the authorities about his concerns.
She stated Ruben went on to play the "candy game" with six children that evening - July 26th - and they were all ill the next day.
"Authorities" had not responded by that point," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
Mrs Prior explained the youngsters were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the stepson called the authorities once more.
She explained the man then played the "sweet game" in a space of five minors.
