A man who contaminated candy with sleeping medication and distributed them to youngsters at a youth camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two boys aged between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight children and one adult fell ill at the location in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
Yet, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was kept in jail before a further hearing on November 28th.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, detailed Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She explained his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer program which he managed.
The defendant engaged in a "treat game" with the minors, the legal counsel explained, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and request they to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the man had played this game with the children "repeatedly", and minors had previously become sick the next day.
She said the man had been able to explain this repeatedly as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had concerns in summer 2025.
The legal representative added: "Recently" his stepson had worries about the situation, for good reason.
"They resolved" to have a look in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel stated objects including infant oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were discovered, and his family member contacted the law enforcement about his worries.
She explained the defendant proceeded to conduct the "candy game" with six boys that evening - that Saturday - and they were all ill the next day.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that point," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was examining law enforcement's management of the situation.
Mrs Prior explained the minors were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so the family member notified the law enforcement again.
She explained the defendant then engaged in the "sweet game" in a area of five children.
