A man who contaminated candy with sleeping medication and gave them to children at a summer camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two young males who were nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight children and a grown-up became sick at the facility in July.
The elderly man, from that region, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the judicial center on recently.
However, he denied one particular crime he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody prior to a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, handling the case, detailed Ruben's offending to the court.
She said his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer program which he operated.
Ruben engaged in a "sweet game" with the children, the prosecutor said, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were settling down and ask them to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the man had engaged in this activity with the young males "over an extended period", and minors had previously become sick the following morning.
She explained the man had been able to explain this repeatedly as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had worries in summer 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "In the summer" his stepchild had worries about the situation, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to investigate in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor said items including infant oil, ointment and syringes were located, and his family member alerted the police about his concerns.
She said the man continued to engage in the "treat game" with six boys that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that time," she continued.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was investigating the police response of the incident.
The legal representative stated the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so the family member contacted the authorities again.
She explained the defendant then conducted the "treat game" in a space of five children.