A man who contaminated candy with tranquilliser and distributed them to minors at a summer program in the region has admitted sexual crimes against two children both between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight children and one adult experienced illness at the facility in the summer month.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
Yet, he refused to admit one particular crime he was charged with, which was concerning a young boy.
The accused was remanded in custody prior to a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, outlined the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She said his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a summer camp which he ran.
The defendant conducted a "sweet game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel said, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the man had conducted this practice with the young males "repeatedly", and minors had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She said the man had been able to explain this repeatedly as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had concerns in July 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "In the summer" his stepchild had suspicions about what was going on, justifiably.
"They decided to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC said materials including baby oil, ointment and injection devices were discovered, and his stepchild alerted the authorities about his suspicions.
She stated Ruben proceeded to conduct the "sweet game" with six youngsters that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the following morning.
"The police had not gone out by that stage," she stated further.
The oversight body, the investigative body, had stated that it was reviewing the police response of the situation.
Mrs Prior explained the minors were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so the stepson called the authorities once more.
She stated Ruben then engaged in the "treat game" in a space of five youngsters.
