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An individual who spiked treats with sleeping medication and provided them to children at a youth camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offences against two young males who were nine and ten years old.

Jon Ruben was arrested after eight children and a grown-up fell ill at the location in July.

The elderly man, from that region, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at the judicial center on the end of the week.

However, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was facing, which was against a nine-year-old child.

The defendant was kept in jail before a additional proceeding on November 28th.

'Treat game'

The legal representative, prosecuting, outlined Ruben's offending to the court.

She explained his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer camp which he ran.

The defendant conducted a "treat game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior said, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and ask them to consume candy "rapidly".

She stated to the judge the man had played this game with the children "over an extended period", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the following morning.

She stated the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had worries in July 2025.

Mrs Prior KC added: "In the summer" his stepchild had concerns about the situation, justifiably.

"They resolved" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."

Mrs Prior KC stated materials including lubricant, petroleum jelly and syringes were discovered, and his stepson notified the law enforcement about his suspicions.

She said Ruben went on to engage in the "treat game" with six boys that night - that Saturday - and they were all ill the subsequent day.

"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that time," she stated further.

The police watchdog, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was examining law enforcement's management of the situation.

The prosecutor explained the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the family member contacted the authorities once more.

She explained the defendant then played the "sweet game" in a space of five children.