A man who spiked sweets with sedative and gave them to children at a youth camp in the region has admitted sexual offences against two young males aged nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight youngsters and one adult became sick at the facility in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Yet, he denied a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The accused was held in detention before a additional proceeding on late November.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, handling the case, outlined the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She explained his victims were under-privileged children who were attending a summer camp which he managed.
The man engaged in a "treat game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel explained, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and ask them to consume candy "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings the man had conducted this practice with the boys "over an extended period", and minors had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She stated the defendant had been able to explain this repeatedly as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had suspicions in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "This year his family member had suspicions about the activities, for good reason.
"They decided to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor stated items including baby oil, Vaseline and injection devices were located, and his family member alerted the police about his worries.
She stated Ruben proceeded to play the "candy game" with six children that night - that Saturday - and they were all sick the next day.
"Authorities" had not responded by that point," she added.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was examining the police response of the events.
Mrs Prior explained the children were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson called the police a second time.
She stated Ruben then conducted the "treat game" in a space of five minors.
