A man who contaminated sweets with sleeping medication and provided them to children at a summer program in Leicestershire has admitted sexual offences against two boys who were between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight youngsters and a grown-up experienced illness at the facility in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from that region, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he denied one particular crime he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was held in detention before a further hearing on late November.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, detailed Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She said his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer program which he ran.
The man played a "sweet game" with the minors, the prosecutor said, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge Ruben had engaged in this activity with the boys "over an extended period", and children had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She stated the man had been able to explain this over a long period as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had worries in summer 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "This year his family member had suspicions about the situation, for good reason.
"They chose" to investigate in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC explained items including infant oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were found, and his stepson contacted the authorities about his worries.
She stated the defendant went on to engage in the "candy game" with six children that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the next day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that stage," she added.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was reviewing the police response of the incident.
The legal representative explained the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the family member contacted the police a second time.
She explained the man then played the "treat game" in a space of five children.
