An individual who laced candy with tranquilliser and provided them to youngsters at a youth camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two children aged nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight youngsters and an older person experienced illness at the facility in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at the judicial center on Friday.
Yet, he refused to admit one particular crime he was charged with, which was involving a young boy.
Ruben was held in detention ahead of a further hearing on November 28th.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, detailed the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She explained his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer camp which he managed.
The defendant engaged in a "sweet game" with the children, the legal counsel stated, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were settling down and ask them to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the man had engaged in this activity with the boys "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She explained Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had suspicions in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "In the summer" his family member had worries about the situation, justifiably.
"They chose" to investigate in the individual's items."
The prosecutor said items including lubricant, ointment and injection devices were discovered, and his stepson notified the police about his concerns.
She stated the defendant continued to play the "sweet game" with six boys that time - July 26th - and they were all ill the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that time," she added.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, previously told that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
The prosecutor said the minors were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the stepson notified the authorities a second time.
She stated the man then engaged in the "candy game" in a space of five youngsters.
