A man who spiked sweets with tranquilliser and gave them to minors at a youth camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two children both nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight youngsters and one adult fell ill at the facility in the summer month.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the courthouse on Friday.
Nevertheless, he denied one particular crime he was accused of, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was remanded in custody ahead of a further hearing on late November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, outlined the defendant's actions to the court.
She explained his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer camp which he ran.
The defendant engaged in a "treat game" with the children, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had engaged in this activity with the boys "for many years", and minors had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She stated Ruben had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had suspicions in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "Recently" his family member had worries about the activities, justifiably.
"They chose" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor explained items including baby oil, ointment and syringes were located, and his family member contacted the authorities about his suspicions.
She stated the man continued to engage in the "sweet game" with six youngsters that time - that Saturday - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that point," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, previously told that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
Mrs Prior explained the minors were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the family member called the police once more.
She said Ruben then conducted the "treat game" in a area of five children.
