A man who laced treats with tranquilliser and provided them to children at a summer program in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two young males who were between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight youngsters and an older person became sick at the location in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the judicial center on Friday.
Yet, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was kept in jail before a further hearing on November 28th.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, handling the case, detailed the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She stated his victims were under-privileged children who were staying at a youth camp which he managed.
Ruben engaged in a "sweet game" with the children, the legal counsel said, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge the defendant had played this game with the young males "over an extended period", and children had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She stated the man had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had concerns in summer 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "In the summer" his stepchild had concerns about the situation, justifiably.
"They chose" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel explained materials including lubricant, Vaseline and medical needles were discovered, and his stepchild notified the law enforcement about his worries.
She explained the defendant went on to conduct the "sweet game" with six boys that night - July 26th - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that stage," she added.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
Mrs Prior stated the minors were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson contacted the police a second time.
She stated Ruben then played the "candy game" in a area of five youngsters.
