An individual who contaminated treats with sedative and provided them to children at a summer program in Leicestershire has admitted sexual crimes against two children aged between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight minors and an older person became sick at the facility in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the courthouse on Friday.
Nevertheless, he disputed a single sexual charge he was facing, which was concerning a young boy.
The defendant was kept in jail ahead of a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, detailed Ruben's offending to the court.
She said his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer camp which he managed.
The man conducted a "sweet game" with the minors, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to eat sweets "rapidly".
She stated to the judge the defendant had played this game with the boys "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously become sick the next day.
She explained the defendant had been capable of justifying this for many years as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had worries in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "In the summer" his stepson had worries about the situation, justifiably.
"They chose" to examine in the individual's items."
The prosecutor stated materials including infant oil, ointment and injection devices were located, and his family member notified the authorities about his suspicions.
She said the man went on to play the "sweet game" with six youngsters that time - July 26th - and they were all ill the following morning.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that point," she added.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the incident.
The legal representative explained the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the stepson notified the police a second time.
She said Ruben then played the "candy game" in a space of five children.
