A person who contaminated candy with sedative and distributed them to children at a summer camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two children who were nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight children and one adult fell ill at the location in July.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
Nevertheless, he disputed a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was involving a young boy.
Ruben was remanded in custody ahead of a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, handling the case, detailed Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She stated his targets were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer camp which he managed.
The defendant engaged in a "sweet game" with the minors, the prosecutor stated, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She told the court the defendant had played this game with the boys "over an extended period", and children had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She said the man had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had worries in July 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "In the summer" his family member had suspicions about the activities, for good reason.
"They chose" to examine in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC said items including baby oil, ointment and syringes were located, and his stepchild contacted the law enforcement about his concerns.
She explained the man went on to engage in the "sweet game" with six children that time - that Saturday - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that point," she added.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was examining the police response of the incident.
Mrs Prior stated the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson contacted the authorities again.
She said the defendant then conducted the "sweet game" in a area of five minors.
