A person who spiked candy with tranquilliser and provided them to minors at a summer program in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual crimes against two young males aged nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight minors and a grown-up became sick at the location in July.
The 76-year-old, from that region, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the courthouse on the end of the week.
Yet, he denied one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody ahead of a further hearing on 28 November.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, described the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She said his those affected were under-privileged children who were participating in a youth camp which he managed.
Ruben conducted a "sweet game" with the children, the legal counsel stated, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to consume candy "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had played this game with the boys "for many years", and children had previously become sick the next day.
She said the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had concerns in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "In the summer" his stepson had concerns about the activities, justifiably.
"They chose" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC stated objects including baby oil, petroleum jelly and syringes were discovered, and his family member alerted the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She stated Ruben continued to engage in the "treat game" with six children that night - July 26th - and they were all ill the next day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that stage," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was reviewing the police response of the situation.
The prosecutor stated the children were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the family member contacted the law enforcement once more.
She said Ruben then played the "sweet game" in a area of five youngsters.
