A man who laced treats with tranquilliser and provided them to youngsters at a summer program in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offenses against two children aged nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight children and an older person fell ill at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at the courthouse on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he denied one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was against a young boy.
Ruben was kept in jail before a further hearing on late November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, outlined Ruben's offending to the court.
She said his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer program which he ran.
Ruben conducted a "sweet game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor explained, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge the defendant had conducted this practice with the children "for many years", and minors had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She stated Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had concerns in summer 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "Recently" his stepchild had concerns about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They decided to investigate in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel said materials including baby oil, petroleum jelly and syringes were found, and his family member notified the authorities about his suspicions.
She stated the defendant continued to engage in the "sweet game" with six youngsters that evening - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that point," she continued.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
The legal representative explained the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the stepson contacted the law enforcement a second time.
She explained Ruben then played the "candy game" in a area of five youngsters.
