A man who spiked treats with sedative and gave them to children at a youth camp in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two boys aged nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight youngsters and a grown-up experienced illness at the location in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
Yet, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was concerning a young boy.
The defendant was kept in jail before a further hearing on late November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, detailed the defendant's actions to the court.
She explained his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a youth camp which he operated.
The defendant played a "treat game" with the minors, the legal counsel explained, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had played this game with the boys "for many years", and children had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She explained the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had suspicions in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "In the summer" his family member had worries about what was going on, for good reason.
"They resolved" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC said items including lubricant, petroleum jelly and syringes were found, and his stepson alerted the law enforcement about his worries.
She stated the man proceeded to play the "sweet game" with six youngsters that night - July 26th - and they were all sick the next day.
"Authorities" had not responded by that time," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the incident.
The legal representative stated the minors were struggling to walk due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson contacted the police again.
She said the defendant then engaged in the "candy game" in a room of five children.
