A man who contaminated candy with sedative and distributed them to minors at a youth camp in the region has admitted sexual crimes against two children both between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight youngsters and one adult became sick at the location in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
Yet, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was involving a young boy.
The accused was remanded in custody prior to a additional proceeding on late November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, detailed the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She said his victims were under-privileged children who were staying at a youth camp which he ran.
The man played a "treat game" with the minors, the prosecutor said, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and request they to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the defendant had engaged in this activity with the children "for many years", and children had previously become sick the following morning.
She explained the man had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had concerns in summer 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "This year his family member had concerns about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They chose" to have a look in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC stated objects including baby oil, Vaseline and injection devices were located, and his stepson contacted the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She explained the man proceeded to play the "sweet game" with six youngsters that evening - that Saturday - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that point," she stated further.
The oversight body, the investigative body, previously told that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the incident.
The legal representative said the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the stepson called the authorities again.
She stated the man then conducted the "sweet game" in a room of five children.
