A person who spiked sweets with sedative and gave them to youngsters at a summer camp in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two children who were nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight youngsters and one adult experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in July.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Yet, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was remanded in custody before a subsequent court date on late November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, detailed Ruben's offending to the court.
She said his targets were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer program which he operated.
The defendant engaged in a "candy game" with the children, the prosecutor said, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and request they to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had engaged in this activity with the young males "over an extended period", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She explained Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had concerns in July 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "In the summer" his family member had concerns about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to have a look in the individual's items."
The legal counsel stated objects including baby oil, petroleum jelly and syringes were discovered, and his stepchild notified the law enforcement about his worries.
She explained the defendant went on to play the "sweet game" with six children that night - July 26th - and they were all ill the following morning.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that stage," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was reviewing the police response of the situation.
The prosecutor said the children were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so the stepson called the authorities again.
She said Ruben then played the "sweet game" in a room of five minors.
