A man who laced treats with sedative and provided them to children at a youth camp in the region has confessed to sexual crimes against two young males aged nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight children and one adult experienced illness at the location in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was remanded in custody before a additional proceeding on late November.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, handling the case, detailed the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She explained his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a youth camp which he managed.
Ruben engaged in a "treat game" with the children, the legal counsel stated, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She told the court Ruben had conducted this practice with the young males "for many years", and youngsters had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She explained the man had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had worries in July 2025.
The prosecutor added: "In the summer" his stepchild had suspicions about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They decided to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC said materials including infant oil, ointment and medical needles were discovered, and his stepson alerted the authorities about his suspicions.
She explained the man proceeded to engage in the "candy game" with six boys that evening - July 26th - and they were all ill the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that time," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was reviewing the police response of the incident.
The legal representative stated the children were struggling to walk due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson called the authorities once more.
She stated Ruben then played the "sweet game" in a room of five minors.
