A man who laced candy with sleeping medication and distributed them to children at a summer program in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual crimes against two boys aged between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight children and an older person fell ill at the facility in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he was present at the judicial center on Friday.
Nevertheless, he disputed one particular crime he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was kept in jail before a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, outlined the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She stated his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer program which he ran.
The man played a "candy game" with the minors, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to consume candy "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had played this game with the children "repeatedly", and minors had previously become sick the next day.
She said Ruben had been able to explain this for many years as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had concerns in July 2025.
The legal representative continued: "This year his stepson had suspicions about the activities, for good reason.
"They decided to investigate in the individual's items."
The legal counsel said materials including baby oil, ointment and medical needles were discovered, and his family member contacted the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She said Ruben continued to engage in the "candy game" with six boys that night - July 26th - and they were all sick the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that time," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, previously told that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the events.
The legal representative said the minors were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the family member called the police a second time.
She stated the man then conducted the "candy game" in a area of five minors.
