A man who contaminated treats with sedative and distributed them to minors at a summer program in Leicestershire has admitted sexual crimes against two young males who were nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight minors and an older person became sick at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit one particular crime he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was held in detention ahead of a further hearing on November 28th.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, detailed the criminal behavior to the court.
She stated his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer camp which he managed.
Ruben conducted a "treat game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings the man had engaged in this activity with the children "for many years", and minors had previously fallen ill the next day.
She stated Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had suspicions in recently.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "Recently" his stepchild had worries about the activities, for good reason.
"They decided to investigate in the individual's items."
The prosecutor stated items including baby oil, petroleum jelly and injection devices were located, and his family member alerted the authorities about his concerns.
She said the man continued to conduct the "candy game" with six youngsters that time - that Saturday - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not responded by that point," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was examining the police response of the events.
Mrs Prior stated the children were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson contacted the law enforcement a second time.
She said Ruben then played the "sweet game" in a area of five children.
