A person who laced candy with tranquilliser and gave them to children at a summer program in the region has confessed to sexual offenses against two boys aged nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight minors and an older person experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from that region, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Yet, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was remanded in custody before a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, described Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She said his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a summer camp which he managed.
The defendant played a "candy game" with the minors, the prosecutor said, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had engaged in this activity with the boys "for many years", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the next day.
She explained Ruben had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had worries in July 2025.
The legal representative continued: "This year his stepchild had concerns about the situation, with valid cause.
"They chose" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor said items including baby oil, Vaseline and injection devices were located, and his stepchild notified the authorities about his concerns.
She explained Ruben went on to engage in the "candy game" with six boys that night - that Saturday - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that stage," she added.
The oversight body, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was examining the police response of the incident.
The legal representative explained the children were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the family member called the authorities once more.
She stated the man then played the "sweet game" in a room of five youngsters.
