An individual who laced treats with sleeping medication and provided them to youngsters at a summer program in the area has admitted sexual crimes against two young males aged nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight youngsters and an older person became sick at the location in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at the judicial center on recently.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was involving a young boy.
Ruben was kept in jail ahead of a subsequent court date on late November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, outlined Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She stated his those affected were under-privileged children who were attending a summer program which he operated.
Ruben conducted a "sweet game" with the children, the prosecutor explained, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and request they to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She told the court the defendant had played this game with the children "repeatedly", and children had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She explained the man had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had suspicions in July 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "This year his stepchild had worries about the situation, for good reason.
"They resolved" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel stated materials including infant oil, Vaseline and injection devices were located, and his stepchild contacted the law enforcement about his worries.
She explained Ruben proceeded to engage in the "treat game" with six children that time - July 26th - and they were all sick the next day.
"The police had not responded by that point," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, had stated that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
Mrs Prior stated the children were struggling to walk due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson called the law enforcement a second time.
She stated the man then played the "treat game" in a area of five minors.
