A person who spiked candy with sleeping medication and distributed them to children at a summer program in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two children aged nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight minors and one adult fell ill at the location in July.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the judicial center on the end of the week.
However, he disputed one particular crime he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The accused was held in detention ahead of a additional proceeding on late November.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, outlined the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She explained his targets were under-privileged children who were attending a summer program which he managed.
The man engaged in a "candy game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel stated, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were settling down and ask them to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had conducted this practice with the boys "repeatedly", and children had previously become sick the following morning.
She explained the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had suspicions in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "In the summer" his family member had worries about the situation, justifiably.
"They chose" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor explained materials including lubricant, Vaseline and syringes were found, and his stepson notified the police about his concerns.
She said Ruben proceeded to conduct the "sweet game" with six boys that time - July 26th - and they were all sick the following morning.
"The police had not responded by that stage," she added.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, had stated that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
Mrs Prior said the minors were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the family member notified the law enforcement a second time.
She stated Ruben then played the "treat game" in a area of five minors.
