A person who contaminated sweets with tranquilliser and provided them to children at a summer camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two young males both between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight children and a grown-up experienced illness at the facility in the summer month.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he was present at the judicial center on Friday.
Yet, he denied a single sexual charge he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The accused was remanded in custody ahead of a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, outlined Ruben's offending to the court.
She explained his targets were under-privileged children who were staying at a youth camp which he operated.
The defendant conducted a "candy game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel explained, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the defendant had played this game with the boys "repeatedly", and children had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She said Ruben had been able to explain this for many years as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had suspicions in summer 2025.
The legal representative added: "In the summer" his family member had concerns about the situation, for good reason.
"They chose" to examine in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor explained materials including baby oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were found, and his stepchild notified the law enforcement about his worries.
She explained Ruben continued to play the "treat game" with six children that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the following morning.
"The police had not responded by that point," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was reviewing the police response of the situation.
Mrs Prior explained the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so the family member contacted the law enforcement a second time.
She said the man then played the "candy game" in a space of five children.
