A man who spiked sweets with sedative and gave them to youngsters at a summer program in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two boys aged nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight minors and one adult experienced illness at the facility in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the courthouse on Friday.
Nevertheless, he disputed a single sexual charge he was facing, which was involving a young boy.
The defendant was kept in jail before a subsequent court date on late November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, detailed the criminal behavior to the court.
She stated his victims were under-privileged children who were attending a summer program which he managed.
The defendant conducted a "candy game" with the minors, the legal counsel stated, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were settling down and ask them to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She told the court the defendant had played this game with the boys "for many years", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She said the man had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had suspicions in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "In the summer" his family member had suspicions about the activities, for good reason.
"They chose" to investigate in the individual's items."
The legal counsel stated materials including baby oil, petroleum jelly and syringes were discovered, and his stepson contacted the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She explained the man went on to engage in the "treat game" with six boys that time - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"Authorities" had not responded by that stage," she added.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was examining the police response of the incident.
Mrs Prior said the children were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the family member contacted the police again.
She explained the man then played the "sweet game" in a space of five youngsters.
