A man who contaminated treats with tranquilliser and provided them to youngsters at a summer camp in the region has admitted sexual crimes against two children aged nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight minors and one adult fell ill at Stathern Lodge in July.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
However, he denied one particular crime he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody prior to a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, outlined the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She explained his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a youth camp which he ran.
The man conducted a "treat game" with the children, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and request they to eat sweets "rapidly".
She stated to the judge Ruben had conducted this practice with the children "over an extended period", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She stated the man had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had suspicions in July 2025.
The prosecutor added: "In the summer" his stepson had suspicions about what was going on, justifiably.
"They decided to examine in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC stated items including infant oil, Vaseline and injection devices were discovered, and his family member alerted the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She stated the defendant proceeded to play the "candy game" with six children that evening - July 26th - and they were all sick the following morning.
"The police had not gone out by that time," she continued.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was investigating the police response of the situation.
Mrs Prior stated the minors were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so the family member notified the law enforcement once more.
She said the defendant then engaged in the "sweet game" in a area of five children.
