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An individual who laced sweets with tranquilliser and provided them to youngsters at a youth camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two young males who were nine and 10.

Jon Ruben was detained after eight youngsters and a grown-up became sick at the location in the summer month.

The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.

However, he denied one particular crime he was accused of, which was involving a young boy.

Ruben was remanded in custody prior to a additional proceeding on 28 November.

'Treat game'

The prosecutor, handling the case, detailed the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.

She stated his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a youth camp which he ran.

Ruben engaged in a "treat game" with the minors, the legal counsel explained, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to consume candy "as quickly as they can".

She told the court the man had played this game with the young males "repeatedly", and minors had previously fallen ill the following morning.

She stated Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had suspicions in summer 2025.

The prosecutor continued: "This year his family member had worries about the situation, for good reason.

"They decided to examine in the man's possessions."

Mrs Prior KC said objects including baby oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were found, and his stepchild contacted the authorities about his worries.

She said Ruben proceeded to engage in the "treat game" with six youngsters that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the following morning.

"Law enforcement" had not responded by that stage," she stated further.

The oversight body, the police conduct office, previously told that it was investigating the police response of the situation.

The prosecutor stated the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson called the police a second time.

She explained the man then played the "sweet game" in a space of five youngsters.