A person who spiked sweets with sleeping medication and provided them to children at a summer program in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual crimes against two children aged nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight minors and one adult fell ill at the location in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at the judicial center on Friday.
However, he denied one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was remanded in custody ahead of a further hearing on late November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, outlined the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She explained his victims were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer program which he managed.
The defendant engaged in a "treat game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel stated, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings the man had played this game with the children "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She explained the defendant had been able to explain this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had concerns in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "In the summer" his family member had worries about the activities, justifiably.
"They resolved" to examine in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC said materials including infant oil, ointment and syringes were found, and his stepchild alerted the authorities about his concerns.
She said the man proceeded to play the "treat game" with six youngsters that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"The police had not arrived by that time," she added.
The oversight body, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the incident.
The legal representative stated the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the stepson called the law enforcement a second time.
She explained Ruben then engaged in the "sweet game" in a room of five children.
