A person who spiked candy with sleeping medication and provided them to children at a summer program in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two children who were nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight children and an older person fell ill at the location in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Yet, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was involving a young boy.
Ruben was held in detention ahead of a subsequent court date on late November.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, outlined Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She stated his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer program which he ran.
Ruben engaged in a "sweet game" with the children, the legal counsel stated, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and request they to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had conducted this practice with the children "over an extended period", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She stated the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had worries in July 2025.
The legal representative added: "Recently" his family member had concerns about the activities, for good reason.
"They decided to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel explained items including lubricant, petroleum jelly and medical needles were discovered, and his family member contacted the police about his suspicions.
She stated the defendant proceeded to play the "sweet game" with six youngsters that night - that Saturday - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that point," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the incident.
The legal representative stated the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson contacted the authorities once more.
She explained Ruben then played the "treat game" in a room of five minors.
