A person who spiked sweets with tranquilliser and gave them to children at a summer camp in the area has confessed to sexual offences against two children both between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight children and an older person became sick at the location in July.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at the judicial center on the end of the week.
Yet, he disputed a single sexual charge he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was held in detention prior to a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, detailed the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She said his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a summer camp which he ran.
Ruben engaged in a "candy game" with the minors, Mrs Prior stated, 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 Ruben had played this game with the young males "repeatedly", and children had previously fallen ill the next day.
She explained the man had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had concerns in summer 2025.
The prosecutor added: "In the summer" his stepchild had suspicions about the situation, with valid cause.
"They chose" to investigate in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel said objects including lubricant, ointment and injection devices were discovered, and his family member contacted the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She stated the defendant went on to conduct the "treat game" with six children that night - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"Authorities" had not responded by that time," she continued.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, had stated that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
Mrs Prior said the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so the family member called the police again.
She stated Ruben then engaged in the "candy game" in a area of five children.
