A person who contaminated sweets with sedative and provided them to children at a summer camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two children both nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight minors and one adult became sick at the location in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
However, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was against a nine-year-old child.
The accused was remanded in custody prior to a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, outlined the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She explained his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer camp which he ran.
The defendant played a "treat game" with the minors, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She told the court the man had conducted this practice with the boys "repeatedly", and children had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She stated the defendant had been able to explain this for many years as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had concerns in summer 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "Recently" his stepson had concerns about what was going on, justifiably.
"They resolved" to investigate in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel said materials including lubricant, petroleum jelly and injection devices were found, and his stepson notified the law enforcement about his concerns.
She said the defendant proceeded to conduct the "sweet game" with six boys that time - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"The police had not arrived by that time," she continued.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, had stated that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the events.
The prosecutor stated the children were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the family member notified the law enforcement a second time.
She stated the man then engaged in the "treat game" in a room of five children.
