An individual who contaminated sweets with tranquilliser and distributed them to minors at a summer program in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two boys aged nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight youngsters and an older person experienced illness at the facility in the summer month.
The elderly man, from that region, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
However, he refused to admit one particular crime he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was held in detention prior to a further hearing on November 28th.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, described the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She explained his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a summer program which he ran.
Ruben engaged in a "sweet game" with the minors, the prosecutor said, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were settling down and ask them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had engaged in this activity with the children "for many years", and minors had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She explained the defendant had been able to explain this repeatedly as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had suspicions in July 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "This year his stepchild had concerns about the situation, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor stated materials including infant oil, Vaseline and medical needles were located, and his stepchild contacted the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She explained Ruben went on to conduct the "treat game" with six boys that evening - that Saturday - and they were all ill the following morning.
"The police had not arrived by that point," she added.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, previously told that it was reviewing the police response of the incident.
The prosecutor stated the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so the stepson called the law enforcement once more.
She stated Ruben then conducted the "candy game" in a area of five minors.
