A man who laced treats with tranquilliser and gave them to minors at a summer program in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offences against two young males who were nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight minors and one adult experienced illness at the location in July.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the judicial center on Friday.
Yet, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was held in detention prior to a further hearing on late November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, detailed Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She explained his targets were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer camp which he managed.
The man engaged in a "treat game" with the children, the legal counsel said, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings the man had engaged in this activity with the boys "over an extended period", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She explained Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had worries in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "In the summer" his family member had suspicions about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They decided to investigate in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC said materials including baby oil, ointment and medical needles were found, and his stepchild notified the authorities about his concerns.
She explained Ruben went on to conduct the "sweet game" with six children that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that point," she added.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, had stated that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the events.
Mrs Prior explained the children were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the family member contacted the authorities again.
She explained the defendant then conducted the "sweet game" in a space of five children.
