A person who contaminated treats with tranquilliser and distributed them to youngsters at a summer program in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two children aged nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight minors and a grown-up experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the courthouse on recently.
Nevertheless, he denied one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was involving a young boy.
Ruben was remanded in custody ahead of a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, outlined the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She said his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer camp which he managed.
The man played a "sweet game" with the minors, the prosecutor said, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She told the court the defendant had engaged in this activity with the boys "for many years", and youngsters had previously become sick the following morning.
She stated Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had worries in July 2025.
The legal representative added: "In the summer" his family member had suspicions about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They decided to have a look in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor stated items including infant oil, ointment and injection devices were located, and his stepchild notified the law enforcement about his concerns.
She explained the defendant went on to conduct the "candy game" with six youngsters that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"The police had not responded by that point," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
The legal representative explained the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so the family member called the law enforcement again.
She said Ruben then engaged in the "treat game" in a room of five minors.
