An individual who laced candy with tranquilliser and gave them to children at a summer camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual offenses against two young males aged nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight children and one adult fell ill at the location in July.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the courthouse on recently.
Nevertheless, he denied a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was involving a young boy.
The accused was remanded in custody prior to a further hearing on 28 November.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, detailed the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She stated his targets were under-privileged children who were attending a summer camp which he operated.
The man conducted a "candy game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel said, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to consume candy "rapidly".
She stated to the judge the defendant had engaged in this activity with the children "over an extended period", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She explained the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had suspicions in July 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "In the summer" his family member had concerns about the situation, justifiably.
"They chose" to investigate in the individual's items."
The prosecutor stated materials including infant oil, ointment and medical needles were discovered, and his stepson alerted the authorities about his suspicions.
She said the man proceeded to engage in the "candy game" with six boys that evening - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that point," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, had stated that it was investigating the police response of the events.
The prosecutor stated the children were struggling to walk due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson called the authorities once more.
She stated Ruben then played the "sweet game" in a area of five children.
