A man who contaminated treats with tranquilliser and distributed them to minors at a summer camp in the area has confessed to sexual offenses against two children both nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight youngsters and one adult fell ill at the location in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the courthouse on Friday.
However, he denied one particular crime he was accused of, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was kept in jail ahead of a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, described the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She stated his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer camp which he ran.
The defendant played a "candy game" with the children, the prosecutor stated, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and tell them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She told the court the man had engaged in this activity with the young males "over an extended period", and minors had previously become sick the next day.
She said the man had been able to explain this repeatedly as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had suspicions in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "Recently" his family member had worries about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They chose" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor said objects including infant oil, Vaseline and injection devices were found, and his stepson contacted the authorities about his concerns.
She stated the defendant continued to engage in the "sweet game" with six children that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Authorities" had not responded by that time," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, had stated that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
The legal representative explained the children were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson notified the police once more.
She explained Ruben then conducted the "treat game" in a room of five minors.
