An individual who spiked candy with sedative and gave them to youngsters at a summer program in the region has confessed to sexual offences against two young males aged nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight youngsters and one adult became sick at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the courthouse on recently.
Nevertheless, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was held in detention ahead of a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, detailed Ruben's offending to the court.
She stated his victims were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer program which he managed.
Ruben engaged in a "candy game" with the minors, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the man had engaged in this activity with the children "over an extended period", and children had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She explained Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had worries in July 2025.
The prosecutor added: "This year his stepchild had worries about the situation, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to examine in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC explained items including infant oil, Vaseline and injection devices were located, and his stepchild notified the authorities about his concerns.
She explained the defendant continued to engage in the "candy game" with six youngsters that night - that Saturday - and they were all ill the next day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that point," she stated further.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, had stated that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
Mrs Prior explained the children were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so the family member called the authorities a second time.
She explained the man then engaged in the "sweet game" in a area of five youngsters.
