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An individual who contaminated sweets with tranquilliser and distributed them to children at a youth camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two boys who were nine and ten years old.

Jon Ruben was detained after eight minors and one adult fell ill at the location in mid-summer.

The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the courthouse on the end of the week.

However, he disputed one particular crime he was facing, which was against a nine-year-old boy.

Ruben was kept in jail before a additional proceeding on 28 November.

'Candy game'

The legal representative, prosecuting, detailed the criminal behavior to the judicial body.

She explained his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a summer camp which he operated.

The man conducted a "sweet game" with the minors, the legal counsel stated, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to ingest treats "rapidly".

She told the court Ruben had conducted this practice with the children "for many years", and minors had previously become sick the following morning.

She explained the defendant had been able to explain this repeatedly as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had concerns in summer 2025.

Mrs Prior KC added: "This year his stepson had suspicions about the situation, for good reason.

"They decided to examine in the man's possessions."

The prosecutor stated items including infant oil, petroleum jelly and injection devices were located, and his family member alerted the law enforcement about his worries.

She said Ruben went on to conduct the "treat game" with six children that night - that Saturday - and they were all sick the subsequent day.

"Authorities" had not gone out by that point," she continued.

The regulatory agency, the investigative body, had stated that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the situation.

The legal representative explained the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the stepson called the police again.

She said Ruben then conducted the "sweet game" in a area of five children.