An individual who laced sweets with tranquilliser and distributed them to children at a summer program in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two boys both between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight minors and one adult became sick at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he was present at the courthouse on the end of the week.
Yet, he disputed a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was kept in jail prior to a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, described Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She explained his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a youth camp which he ran.
Ruben played a "treat game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel said, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to consume candy "rapidly".
She stated to the judge the man had engaged in this activity with the young males "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She said the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had concerns in July 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "Recently" his stepchild had worries about the activities, for good reason.
"They chose" to investigate in the individual's items."
The prosecutor said materials including lubricant, ointment and syringes were located, and his stepchild notified the police about his concerns.
She said Ruben continued to engage in the "treat game" with six boys that time - that Saturday - and they were all ill the next day.
"The police had not arrived by that stage," she stated further.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
The prosecutor said the minors were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the stepson called the authorities a second time.
She stated the defendant then engaged in the "sweet game" in a area of five children.
