A man who contaminated treats with tranquilliser and gave them to youngsters at a youth camp in the region has admitted sexual offenses against two children aged nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight minors and one adult experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was held in detention prior to a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, outlined the defendant's actions to the court.
She said his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a youth camp which he managed.
Ruben played a "treat game" with the children, Mrs Prior said, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to consume candy "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had conducted this practice with the boys "for many years", and minors had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She stated the defendant had been capable of justifying this for many years as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had worries in summer 2025.
The prosecutor added: "This year his stepchild had concerns about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They chose" to examine in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC said items including baby oil, Vaseline and injection devices were found, and his stepson alerted the authorities about his worries.
She explained Ruben went on to play the "treat game" with six children that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"The police had not arrived by that time," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was examining the police response of the incident.
The legal representative explained the minors were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the stepson called the police a second time.
She said Ruben then conducted the "treat game" in a room of five minors.
