A man who spiked candy with sleeping medication and distributed them to minors at a youth camp in the region has confessed to sexual offenses against two young males who were nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight minors and one adult fell ill at the location in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at the courthouse on the end of the week.
However, he disputed one particular crime he was facing, which was against a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was held in detention prior to a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, handling the case, outlined Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She said his targets were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer program which he managed.
Ruben engaged in a "candy game" with the minors, the prosecutor stated, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She told the court the defendant had played this game with the young males "for many years", and minors had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She stated the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had suspicions in July 2025.
The legal representative added: "In the summer" his stepchild had suspicions about what was going on, justifiably.
"They resolved" to have a look in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC said objects including lubricant, ointment and syringes were discovered, and his family member contacted the police about his worries.
She explained Ruben continued to conduct the "sweet game" with six youngsters that night - July 26th - and they were all sick the next day.
"Authorities" had not responded by that stage," she continued.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, had stated that it was examining the police response of the situation.
The legal representative stated the children were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so the stepson called the law enforcement again.
She explained the man then engaged in the "sweet game" in a space of five minors.
