An individual who laced candy with sleeping medication and gave them to youngsters at a youth camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offences against two boys who were nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight minors and one adult experienced illness at the facility in the summer month.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the courthouse on recently.
However, he denied one particular crime he was accused of, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody before a further hearing on 28 November.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, outlined the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She explained his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a youth camp which he ran.
The defendant engaged in a "treat game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior said, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She told the court the man had engaged in this activity with the boys "over an extended period", and children had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She stated the man had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had worries in summer 2025.
The prosecutor added: "Recently" his stepchild had suspicions about the activities, for good reason.
"They resolved" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel explained items including lubricant, ointment and medical needles were discovered, and his stepchild notified the authorities about his concerns.
She stated the man proceeded to conduct the "treat game" with six boys that evening - that Saturday - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that stage," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, had stated that it was investigating the police response of the events.
Mrs Prior said the minors were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson contacted the law enforcement again.
She said the man then engaged in the "treat game" in a room of five minors.