An individual who laced candy with sleeping medication and gave them to minors at a summer program in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two boys who were between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight children and a grown-up fell ill at the facility in July.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the courthouse on Friday.
However, he denied a single sexual charge he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was held in detention before a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, detailed the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She stated his victims were under-privileged children who were staying at a youth camp which he managed.
The defendant engaged in a "sweet game" with the minors, the prosecutor said, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the defendant had conducted this practice with the boys "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously become sick the next day.
She said Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had concerns in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "Recently" his family member had worries about the situation, for good reason.
"They resolved" to have a look in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC explained objects including infant oil, petroleum jelly and injection devices were discovered, and his family member notified the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She said the defendant proceeded to engage in the "sweet game" with six youngsters that night - July 26th - and they were all sick the next day.
"The police had not responded by that stage," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, previously told that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
Mrs Prior said the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so the family member notified the police again.
She explained Ruben then conducted the "candy game" in a room of five minors.
