An individual who contaminated sweets with tranquilliser and provided them to minors at a summer program in the region has admitted sexual offenses against two children aged between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight minors and a grown-up fell ill at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the courthouse on recently.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was remanded in custody ahead of a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, described the criminal behavior to the court.
She said his victims were under-privileged children who were participating in a youth camp which he managed.
Ruben conducted a "candy game" with the minors, the prosecutor explained, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and ask them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She stated to the judge Ruben had engaged in this activity with the children "over an extended period", and children had previously become sick the next day.
She stated the defendant had been able to explain this repeatedly as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had concerns in summer 2025.
The legal representative added: "Recently" his family member had worries about what was going on, for good reason.
"They chose" to have a look in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC explained items including lubricant, ointment and medical needles were found, and his family member notified the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She explained the defendant continued to play the "treat game" with six children that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the following morning.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that point," she stated further.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
Mrs Prior stated the children were struggling to walk due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson notified the authorities again.
She said Ruben then conducted the "sweet game" in a area of five minors.
