An individual who spiked treats with tranquilliser and gave them to minors at a summer program in the region has admitted sexual crimes against two boys both between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight children and an older person fell ill at the location in July.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the judicial center on recently.
However, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was involving a young boy.
The accused was remanded in custody before a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, described the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She said his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer camp which he ran.
Ruben engaged in a "candy game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor explained, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the man had played this game with the children "for many years", and children had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She explained Ruben had been able to explain this for many years as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had suspicions in July 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "Recently" his stepson had concerns about the situation, for good reason.
"They resolved" to examine in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC explained objects including baby oil, Vaseline and medical needles were found, and his stepson notified the authorities about his concerns.
She stated the man proceeded to engage in the "treat game" with six children that evening - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"The police had not arrived by that time," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, had stated that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
Mrs Prior stated the children were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so the stepson contacted the police a second time.
She said Ruben then engaged in the "treat game" in a room of five children.
