A person who contaminated treats with sedative and gave them to children at a youth camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two children who were nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight minors and a grown-up became sick at the location in July.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
However, he denied a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was against a young boy.
The defendant was kept in jail before a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, detailed the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She stated his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer camp which he operated.
The defendant engaged in a "candy game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and tell them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had engaged in this activity with the children "repeatedly", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She stated the man had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had concerns in summer 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "Recently" his stepson had worries about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They chose" to have a look in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC stated items including baby oil, Vaseline and injection devices were located, and his stepson alerted the authorities about his suspicions.
She stated Ruben went on to engage in the "candy game" with six boys that evening - that Saturday - and they were all ill the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that stage," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was examining law enforcement's management of the incident.
The legal representative said the children were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the family member notified the law enforcement again.
She explained Ruben then engaged in the "treat game" in a room of five minors.
