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A person who contaminated treats with sedative and gave them to minors at a summer program in Leicestershire has admitted sexual offences against two boys aged nine and 10.

Jon Ruben was arrested after eight youngsters and a grown-up experienced illness at the location in the summer month.

The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the courthouse on Friday.

Nevertheless, he denied a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.

Ruben was remanded in custody before a additional proceeding on 28 November.

'Sweet game'

The prosecutor, handling the case, outlined the criminal behavior to the judicial body.

She stated his victims were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer camp which he managed.

The man conducted a "candy game" with the children, the legal counsel explained, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and tell them to ingest treats "rapidly".

She informed the proceedings the defendant had played this game with the young males "for many years", and youngsters had previously become sick the next day.

She explained the defendant had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had suspicions in July 2025.

The legal representative continued: "Recently" his stepson had concerns about what was going on, justifiably.

"They decided to investigate in the individual's items."

Mrs Prior KC said items including infant oil, Vaseline and injection devices were found, and his stepchild contacted the law enforcement about his concerns.

She explained the man proceeded to engage in the "sweet game" with six youngsters that night - that Saturday - and they were all ill the next day.

"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that time," she added.

The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, had stated that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the situation.

The legal representative explained the minors were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so the stepson contacted the police a second time.

She said Ruben then conducted the "treat game" in a room of five children.