A person who spiked treats with sleeping medication and provided them to minors at a youth camp in the region has admitted sexual crimes against two boys who were between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight minors and a grown-up experienced illness at the facility in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the courthouse on the end of the week.
However, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was held in detention ahead of a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, outlined Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She said his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a youth camp which he operated.
The man conducted a "treat game" with the children, the prosecutor explained, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were settling down and request they to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She told the court Ruben had played this game with the children "over an extended period", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She said the defendant had been capable of justifying this for many years as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had concerns in summer 2025.
The prosecutor added: "Recently" his stepchild had suspicions about the activities, justifiably.
"They decided to examine in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC explained materials including lubricant, petroleum jelly and syringes were discovered, and his family member alerted the police about his worries.
She said Ruben went on to engage in the "sweet game" with six children that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" 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.
The legal representative said the children were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the family member called the law enforcement once more.
She stated Ruben then conducted the "candy game" in a space of five minors.
