A man who laced treats with sleeping medication and provided them to youngsters at a summer program in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two young males who were nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight children and a grown-up became sick at the facility in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
Nevertheless, he denied one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The accused was remanded in custody prior to a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, described the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She stated his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer program which he operated.
The defendant conducted a "treat game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor stated, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to eat sweets "rapidly".
She told the court the man had played this game with the young males "for many years", and minors had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She stated the man had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had concerns in summer 2025.
The legal representative continued: "This year his family member had concerns about the activities, justifiably.
"They resolved" to investigate in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC explained items including baby oil, Vaseline and medical needles were discovered, and his family member notified the law enforcement about his worries.
She said Ruben continued to conduct the "candy game" with six youngsters that time - that Saturday - and they were all sick the next day.
"Authorities" had not responded by that stage," she continued.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was examining law enforcement's management of the incident.
Mrs Prior stated the children were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson contacted the law enforcement again.
She stated the man then engaged in the "candy game" in a room of five children.
