A man who spiked sweets with tranquilliser and distributed them to children at a youth camp in the region has confessed to sexual crimes against two boys who were between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight children and an older person experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the courthouse on recently.
Nevertheless, he disputed a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was kept in jail ahead of a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, described the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She explained his victims were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer program which he managed.
Ruben engaged in a "candy game" with the minors, the legal counsel stated, in which he would enter 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 engaged in this activity with the young males "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously become sick the following morning.
She explained Ruben had been capable of justifying this for many years as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had suspicions in summer 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "In the summer" his stepson had worries about the activities, for good reason.
"They decided to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel explained materials including baby oil, Vaseline and medical needles were found, and his stepchild alerted the police about his concerns.
She stated Ruben proceeded to engage in the "candy game" with six children that night - July 26th - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that point," she added.
The oversight body, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
The prosecutor stated the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the family member called the police once more.
She said Ruben then played the "treat game" in a area of five minors.
