A man who contaminated sweets with sleeping medication and gave them to minors at a summer program in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offenses against two children aged nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight minors and a grown-up fell ill at the facility in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
Yet, he refused to admit one particular crime he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was kept in jail prior to a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, described the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She stated his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer program which he managed.
The defendant conducted a "candy game" with the children, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She stated to the judge the defendant had engaged in this activity with the young males "repeatedly", and minors had previously become sick the following morning.
She stated the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had suspicions in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "Recently" his family member had worries about the situation, with valid cause.
"They chose" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor stated materials including lubricant, petroleum jelly and syringes were found, and his stepchild notified the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She explained Ruben continued to conduct the "treat game" with six youngsters that night - that Saturday - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not responded by that stage," she added.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, previously told that it was examining law enforcement's management of the situation.
The legal representative said the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so the stepson contacted the authorities a second time.
She explained the defendant then played the "candy game" in a room of five children.
