An individual who spiked candy with tranquilliser and distributed them to children at a summer camp in the region has confessed to sexual offences against two children aged between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight youngsters and a grown-up experienced illness at the facility in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Yet, he refused to admit one particular crime he was facing, which was involving a young boy.
The accused was held in detention before a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, outlined the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She explained his targets were under-privileged children who were attending a summer program which he operated.
The man engaged in a "treat game" with the minors, the legal counsel explained, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and request they to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge the man had played this game with the boys "over an extended period", and minors had previously fallen ill the next day.
She said Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had concerns in July 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "This year his stepchild had concerns about the situation, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to examine in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel said materials including baby oil, petroleum jelly and syringes were found, and his family member alerted the authorities about his concerns.
She stated the man went on to conduct the "sweet game" with six boys that night - July 26th - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that time," she added.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
The legal representative stated the children were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson contacted the police a second time.
She said the man then engaged in the "candy game" in a space of five children.
