An individual who contaminated treats with sleeping medication and provided them to youngsters at a youth camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual crimes against two children both between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight children and one adult became sick at the location in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the courthouse on the end of the week.
Yet, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was remanded in custody prior to a further hearing on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, detailed the criminal behavior to the court.
She explained his victims were under-privileged children who were attending a summer program which he operated.
The defendant played a "sweet game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor explained, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and tell them to eat sweets "rapidly".
She told the court the defendant had conducted this practice with the children "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously become sick the next day.
She stated the man had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had concerns in July 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "In the summer" his stepchild had worries about the situation, justifiably.
"They decided to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC explained materials including infant oil, ointment and medical needles were found, and his family member notified the authorities about his suspicions.
She said Ruben continued to play the "candy game" with six children that night - that Saturday - and they were all sick the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that point," she added.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, previously told that it was examining law enforcement's management of the situation.
Mrs Prior explained the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson notified the police again.
She explained Ruben then engaged in the "sweet game" in a room of five youngsters.
