An individual who spiked treats with sedative and provided them to youngsters at a summer camp in the area has confessed to sexual crimes against two young males both nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight children and a grown-up fell ill at the location in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Yet, he denied one particular crime he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was remanded in custody before a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, detailed the defendant's actions to the court.
She said his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a youth camp which he managed.
The defendant played a "candy game" with the children, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and tell them to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings the man had played this game with the boys "for many years", and children had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She said the defendant had been capable of justifying this for many years as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had suspicions in July 2025.
The prosecutor added: "Recently" his stepson had worries about the situation, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to have a look in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC stated items including lubricant, ointment and injection devices were found, and his stepchild notified the police about his suspicions.
She explained Ruben went on to engage in the "sweet game" with six boys that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that time," she added.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, previously told that it was examining the police response of the events.
The legal representative said the children were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so the family member called the authorities again.
She stated the man then engaged in the "sweet game" in a space of five minors.
