🔗 Share this article Person admits sexual offenses involving children at summer camp Jon Ruben confessed to 17 criminal counts at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week An individual who contaminated candy with tranquilliser and gave them to minors at a summer camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two children who were between nine and ten. The defendant was detained after eight youngsters and one adult fell ill at the facility in the summer month. The elderly man, from that region, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the judicial center on the end of the week. However, he refused to admit one particular crime he was accused of, which was concerning a young boy. The accused was kept in jail ahead of a further hearing on late November. 'Treat game' The prosecutor, prosecuting, described the defendant's actions to the judicial body. She explained his targets were under-privileged children who were participating in a youth camp which he operated. The defendant conducted a "treat game" with the minors, the legal counsel said, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and ask them to ingest treats "rapidly". She informed the proceedings the defendant had engaged in this activity with the children "for many years", and children had previously become sick the subsequent day. She explained the man had been able to explain this over a long period as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had worries in July 2025. The prosecutor continued: "Recently" his stepson had worries about the activities, with valid cause. "They decided to investigate in the defendant's belongings." The legal counsel explained objects including baby oil, ointment and medical needles were found, and his stepson contacted the law enforcement about his suspicions. She stated the man continued to play the "sweet game" with six boys that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the following morning. "Law enforcement" had not responded by that time," she added. The police watchdog, the investigative body, previously told that it was reviewing the police response of the incident. The legal representative stated the minors were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the stepson notified the authorities again. She stated the defendant then conducted the "sweet game" in a area of five minors.