An individual who laced sweets with sedative and provided them to minors at a summer program in the area has admitted sexual offenses against two young males aged nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight children and one adult became sick at the facility in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Yet, he denied one particular crime he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The accused was remanded in custody before a further hearing on 28 November.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, outlined the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She stated his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a summer camp which he ran.
Ruben played a "sweet game" with the minors, the prosecutor stated, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and request they to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge Ruben had conducted this practice with the young males "over an extended period", and children had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She explained the man had been able to explain this for many years as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had concerns in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "This year his stepson had concerns about what was going on, justifiably.
"They resolved" to examine in the individual's items."
The prosecutor said objects including lubricant, ointment and syringes were discovered, and his family member contacted the police about his concerns.
She said Ruben went on to conduct the "candy game" with six youngsters that evening - that Saturday - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that stage," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was examining law enforcement's management of the situation.
The legal representative stated the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson notified the law enforcement a second time.
She explained the defendant then played the "treat game" in a room of five children.
