A person who spiked treats with sedative and distributed them to youngsters at a youth camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual crimes against two young males who were nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight minors and a grown-up fell ill at Stathern Lodge in July.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the courthouse on Friday.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was concerning a young boy.
The accused was held in detention ahead of a further hearing on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, detailed the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She stated his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer camp which he ran.
The defendant engaged in a "candy game" with the children, Mrs Prior said, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were settling down and tell them to consume candy "rapidly".
She told the court the man had engaged in this activity with the boys "over an extended period", and minors had previously become sick the following morning.
She explained the defendant had been able to explain this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had worries in July 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "This year his family member had concerns about the situation, justifiably.
"They resolved" to examine in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC said materials including infant oil, ointment and syringes were discovered, and his stepson alerted the authorities about his worries.
She stated the man continued to conduct the "sweet game" with six youngsters that evening - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that stage," she added.
The oversight body, the investigative body, previously told that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
The prosecutor explained the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so the family member called the law enforcement a second time.
She explained Ruben then played the "sweet game" in a room of five minors.
