A man who spiked candy with sedative and provided them to children at a youth camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two young males both nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight children and a grown-up experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
However, he denied a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was held in detention prior to a subsequent court date on late November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, outlined Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She said his those affected were under-privileged children who were attending a summer camp which he managed.
The man conducted a "candy game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor stated, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to eat sweets "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had engaged in this activity with the boys "for many years", and minors had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She explained the defendant had been able to explain this repeatedly as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had concerns in summer 2025.
The legal representative added: "This year his stepchild had concerns about what was going on, justifiably.
"They resolved" to have a look in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC said materials including lubricant, Vaseline and injection devices were found, and his family member alerted the police about his concerns.
She stated the defendant went on to conduct the "sweet game" with six youngsters that time - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that stage," she added.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was reviewing the police response of the situation.
Mrs Prior explained the youngsters were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the family member notified the authorities again.
She explained the man then conducted the "sweet game" in a area of five youngsters.
