A man who contaminated treats with sedative and gave them to children at a youth camp in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two children who were nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight youngsters and an older person became sick at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
Yet, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was facing, which was concerning a young boy.
The accused was kept in jail before a further hearing on late November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, described Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She explained his targets were under-privileged children who were attending a summer camp which he managed.
The defendant played a "candy game" with the minors, the prosecutor said, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had played this game with the boys "repeatedly", and minors had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She explained Ruben had been able to explain this over a long period as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had suspicions in July 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "In the summer" his family member had suspicions about what was going on, for good reason.
"They resolved" to examine in the individual's items."
The prosecutor stated materials including lubricant, petroleum jelly and syringes were located, and his stepson notified the law enforcement about his concerns.
She said Ruben proceeded to engage in the "candy game" with six youngsters that evening - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that time," she added.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, had stated that it was examining law enforcement's management of the events.
The prosecutor said the minors were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so the family member notified the authorities a second time.
She said the man then conducted the "sweet game" in a room of five minors.
