A man who laced treats with tranquilliser and provided them to children at a youth camp in the region has admitted sexual offenses against two boys who were between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight minors and an older person fell ill at the facility in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Yet, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was remanded in custody prior to a subsequent court date on late November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, outlined the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She said his targets were under-privileged children who were participating in a youth camp which he managed.
Ruben engaged in a "sweet game" with the children, the legal counsel explained, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were settling down and ask them to consume candy "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had engaged in this activity with the children "for many years", and youngsters had previously become sick the following morning.
She said the man had been capable of justifying this for many years as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had concerns in summer 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "Recently" his stepson had suspicions about the situation, for good reason.
"They resolved" to have a look in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC stated items including infant oil, ointment and injection devices were found, and his stepson contacted the police about his suspicions.
She said Ruben proceeded to conduct the "candy game" with six boys that time - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that time," she continued.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the situation.
Mrs Prior stated the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so the stepson notified the law enforcement a second time.
She said Ruben then engaged in the "candy game" in a area of five youngsters.
