A man who laced sweets with sleeping medication and provided them to children at a summer camp in the area has admitted sexual crimes against two boys who were nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight children and an older person became sick at the location in the summer month.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
Yet, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was held in detention prior to a further hearing on November 28th.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, detailed the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She stated his those affected were under-privileged children who were attending a summer program which he operated.
The defendant played a "candy game" with the children, the legal counsel explained, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had played this game with the boys "for many years", and children had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She said Ruben had been able to explain this for many years as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had suspicions in July 2025.
The legal representative continued: "This year his stepchild had suspicions about what was going on, justifiably.
"They decided to have a look in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC stated items including baby oil, petroleum jelly and syringes were found, and his stepson notified the police about his concerns.
She stated the man went on to play the "sweet game" with six youngsters that time - July 26th - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"The police had not responded by that time," she continued.
The oversight body, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was investigating the police response of the incident.
The prosecutor stated the children were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson notified the law enforcement once more.
She stated the defendant then engaged in the "candy game" in a room of five minors.
