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A person who laced treats with sleeping medication and distributed them to minors at a summer program in Leicestershire has admitted sexual offences against two children both nine and ten years old.

Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight minors and one adult fell ill at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.

The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at the judicial center on the end of the week.

Yet, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.

The defendant was held in detention before a further hearing on late November.

'Candy game'

Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, described the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.

She stated his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer program which he ran.

Ruben conducted a "candy game" with the children, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were settling down and tell them to ingest treats "rapidly".

She told the court Ruben had conducted this practice with the young males "for many years", and youngsters had previously become sick the following morning.

She stated Ruben had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had worries in July 2025.

Mrs Prior KC continued: "In the summer" his stepchild had worries about the activities, for good reason.

"They resolved" to examine in the individual's items."

Mrs Prior KC said objects including baby oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were discovered, and his stepchild alerted the law enforcement about his worries.

She explained the man proceeded to play the "treat game" with six youngsters that evening - that Saturday - and they were all ill the next day.

"Authorities" had not gone out by that time," she stated further.

The oversight body, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.

Mrs Prior explained the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson called the police again.

She stated the man then conducted the "treat game" in a space of five children.