A person who contaminated candy with sedative and gave them to minors at a summer program in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two boys both between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight children and one adult fell ill at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
Yet, he refused to admit one particular crime he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was kept in jail prior to a further hearing on November 28th.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, described Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She said his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer program which he ran.
The defendant played a "treat game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were settling down and tell them to consume candy "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 following morning.
She said the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had concerns in July 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "Recently" his family member had worries about the situation, for good reason.
"They resolved" to examine in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel said objects including infant oil, ointment and medical needles were discovered, and his stepson alerted the law enforcement about his worries.
She stated the man went on to play the "sweet game" with six youngsters that night - that Saturday - and they were all ill the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that stage," she added.
The oversight body, the investigative body, previously told that it was investigating the police response of the incident.
The legal representative said the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so the family member called the authorities once more.
She explained the defendant then conducted the "treat game" in a room of five children.
