A person who laced candy with sedative and provided them to youngsters at a summer program in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two young males aged nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight youngsters and an older person experienced illness at the location in July.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at the courthouse on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he denied a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was held in detention prior to a further hearing on late November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, outlined the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She stated his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a youth camp which he ran.
The defendant engaged in a "treat game" with the children, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and request they to eat sweets "rapidly".
She told the court the defendant had conducted this practice with the boys "repeatedly", and children had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She said the man had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had suspicions in July 2025.
The prosecutor added: "Recently" his stepson had suspicions about the situation, for good reason.
"They decided to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel said items including baby oil, ointment and medical needles were found, and his family member contacted the police about his concerns.
She explained the man continued to engage in the "candy game" with six boys that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that stage," she stated further.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was reviewing the police response of the situation.
The prosecutor explained the minors were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson called the authorities once more.
She explained the defendant then conducted the "treat game" in a space of five youngsters.
