A person who contaminated sweets with tranquilliser and provided them to youngsters at a youth camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two children both nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight minors and one adult became sick at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he stood at the courthouse on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he denied one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was remanded in custody ahead of a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, detailed the defendant's actions to the court.
She explained his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer camp which he ran.
The defendant engaged in a "sweet game" with the minors, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and request they to consume candy "rapidly".
She told the court the man had played this game with the young males "repeatedly", and children had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She explained the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had suspicions in summer 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "This year his family member had worries about the situation, with valid cause.
"They decided to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel stated items including lubricant, Vaseline and medical needles were discovered, and his family member notified the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She said Ruben proceeded to conduct the "candy game" with six youngsters that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that point," she continued.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, had stated that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
The prosecutor stated the children were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the stepson notified the police once more.
She stated the man then conducted the "candy game" in a area of five minors.
