A person who contaminated treats with sedative and provided them to minors at a summer program in the region has admitted sexual offenses against two children aged between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight children and one adult experienced illness at the location in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Yet, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was held in detention ahead of a subsequent court date on late November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, described the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She explained his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer program which he operated.
The defendant conducted a "treat game" with the children, Mrs Prior said, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings the man had conducted this practice with the boys "for many years", and minors had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She said Ruben had been able to explain this for many years as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had suspicions in July 2025.
The prosecutor added: "Recently" his stepson had suspicions about the situation, with valid cause.
"They decided to have a look in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC stated materials including baby oil, ointment and syringes were discovered, and his stepson contacted the authorities about his suspicions.
She stated Ruben went on to conduct the "candy game" with six youngsters that time - that Saturday - and they were all ill the next day.
"Authorities" had not responded by that point," she continued.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was examining the police response of the situation.
Mrs Prior stated the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson called the law enforcement a second time.
She explained the man then played the "sweet game" in a space of five youngsters.
