A person who spiked candy with sedative and provided them to minors at a summer program in the area has admitted sexual crimes against two young males both nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight youngsters and one adult fell ill at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Nevertheless, he denied a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was held in detention before a additional proceeding on late November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, described Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She explained his targets were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer camp which he operated.
The defendant played a "treat game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel explained, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge Ruben had engaged in this activity with the boys "for many years", and children had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She said Ruben had been capable of justifying this for many years as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had suspicions in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "This year his stepson had suspicions about what was going on, for good reason.
"They chose" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC stated items including infant oil, ointment and injection devices were located, and his stepchild notified the police about his concerns.
She explained the man proceeded to conduct the "sweet game" with six boys that night - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that time," 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 legal representative stated the minors were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson notified the law enforcement again.
She explained Ruben then engaged in the "sweet game" in a space of five minors.
