A person who laced treats with sleeping medication and distributed them to minors at a summer program in the area has admitted sexual offenses against two young males both nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight minors and a grown-up fell ill at the location in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, 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 refused to admit a single sexual charge he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was kept in jail ahead of a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, detailed the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She explained his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a youth camp which he operated.
The man engaged in a "candy game" with the minors, the prosecutor explained, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and ask them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge Ruben had engaged in this activity with the boys "repeatedly", and children had previously fallen ill the next day.
She explained the defendant had been able to explain this repeatedly as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had worries in July 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "This year his stepson had worries about the situation, justifiably.
"They decided to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor said items including infant oil, ointment and syringes were found, and his family member notified the police about his worries.
She said the man went on to play the "sweet game" with six boys that night - that Saturday - and they were all sick the next day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that time," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, had stated that it was examining law enforcement's management of the events.
The prosecutor said the minors were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson called the authorities once more.
She said Ruben then engaged in the "sweet game" in a room of five youngsters.
