A person who contaminated treats with tranquilliser and gave them to minors at a summer camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual offenses against two boys aged nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight children and one adult fell ill at the facility in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from that region, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the courthouse on Friday.
Nevertheless, he disputed a single sexual charge he was facing, which was against a young boy.
Ruben was held in detention before a further hearing on late November.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, handling the case, described Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She stated his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a summer camp which he ran.
Ruben engaged in a "candy game" with the children, the prosecutor stated, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were settling down and request they to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She told the court the defendant had played this game with the boys "over an extended period", and minors had previously fallen ill the next day.
She explained Ruben had been able to explain this over a long period as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had worries in summer 2025.
The legal representative continued: "Recently" his family member had worries about the situation, with valid cause.
"They decided to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor stated objects including infant oil, ointment and injection devices were found, and his family member contacted the police about his suspicions.
She stated the defendant went on to engage in the "sweet game" with six children that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the next day.
"The police had not gone out by that stage," she added.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was examining the police response of the incident.
The prosecutor explained the youngsters were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the family member contacted the authorities again.
She said Ruben then played the "candy game" in a room of five minors.
