An individual who contaminated candy with sleeping medication and provided them to children at a youth camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two children aged nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight minors and an older person became sick at the facility in July.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Nevertheless, he denied a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
The accused was held in detention prior to a additional proceeding on late November.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, described the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She stated his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer program which he managed.
The defendant played a "treat game" with the minors, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and ask them to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had played this game with the children "over an extended period", and children had previously become sick the following morning.
She stated the defendant had been able to explain this for many years as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had worries in July 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "In the summer" his family member had worries about the situation, justifiably.
"They resolved" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor stated materials including lubricant, ointment and medical needles were discovered, and his stepson alerted the authorities about his worries.
She explained the defendant went on to conduct the "sweet game" with six boys that time - July 26th - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"The police had not arrived by that time," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was examining the police response of the events.
The legal representative explained the children were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the family member called the police a second time.
She said the defendant then engaged in the "treat game" in a space of five children.
