A person who contaminated sweets with sedative and gave them to youngsters at a youth camp in the region has confessed to sexual crimes against two boys both nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight youngsters and a grown-up fell ill at the location in July.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the judicial center on Friday.
Yet, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was facing, which was against a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was held in detention prior to a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, detailed the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She stated his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a youth camp which he managed.
Ruben conducted a "treat game" with the children, the prosecutor said, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to consume candy "rapidly".
She told the court Ruben had played this game with the boys "for many years", and minors had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She stated Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had concerns in July 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "Recently" his stepson had suspicions about the activities, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel explained objects including infant oil, Vaseline and injection devices were found, and his stepchild notified the police about his concerns.
She explained Ruben continued to engage in the "treat game" with six youngsters that evening - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"Authorities" had not responded by that time," she added.
The oversight body, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
The prosecutor explained the minors were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so the stepson called the authorities once more.
She explained the man then conducted the "candy game" in a space of five youngsters.
