A man who contaminated sweets with sleeping medication and distributed them to youngsters at a summer program in Leicestershire has admitted sexual offences against two young males who were nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight youngsters and an older person became sick at the facility in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the judicial center on Friday.
Nevertheless, he denied one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was involving a young boy.
The accused was kept in jail ahead of a further hearing on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, described the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She stated his those affected were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer camp which he ran.
The man played a "sweet game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and request they to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had engaged in this activity with the young males "for many years", and minors had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She stated the man had been able to explain this repeatedly as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had suspicions in summer 2025.
The legal representative continued: "Recently" his family member had suspicions about the situation, justifiably.
"They chose" to have a look in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel explained objects including baby oil, Vaseline and medical needles were located, and his stepchild contacted the police about his concerns.
She explained the man went on to engage in the "treat game" with six boys that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the following morning.
"The police had not arrived by that point," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the events.
The prosecutor said the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson notified the police again.
She stated Ruben then engaged in the "sweet game" in a room of five children.