A man who spiked treats with sleeping medication and distributed them to children at a summer program in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two boys aged between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight minors and one adult became sick at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from that region, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at the courthouse on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he denied one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was kept in jail prior to a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, detailed the criminal behavior to the court.
She stated his those affected were under-privileged children who were participating in a youth camp which he ran.
The defendant engaged in a "sweet game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She told the court Ruben had engaged in this activity with the children "for many years", and minors had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She stated the man had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had suspicions in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "In the summer" his stepson had suspicions about what was going on, justifiably.
"They resolved" to investigate in the individual's items."
The legal counsel explained objects including infant oil, petroleum jelly and injection devices were discovered, and his family member notified the police about his suspicions.
She stated the defendant proceeded to play the "treat game" with six boys that time - July 26th - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that stage," she continued.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
The prosecutor stated the children were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so the stepson notified the law enforcement a second time.
She stated the man then played the "candy game" in a room of five minors.
