A man who spiked candy with sleeping medication and provided them to minors at a youth camp in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two children who were nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight minors and an older person became sick at the location in the summer month.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at the judicial center on the end of the week.
However, he denied one particular crime he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was kept in jail ahead of a additional proceeding on late November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, outlined the criminal behavior to the court.
She stated his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer camp which he managed.
The man played a "treat game" with the minors, the prosecutor stated, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were settling down and tell them to consume candy "rapidly".
She stated to the judge Ruben had played this game with the boys "over an extended period", and children had previously become sick the following morning.
She said the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had concerns in July 2025.
The legal representative continued: "Recently" his stepchild had concerns about what was going on, for good reason.
"They chose" to examine in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC said materials including baby oil, petroleum jelly and injection devices were found, and his family member notified the police about his concerns.
She stated the defendant continued to conduct the "treat game" with six children that night - July 26th - and they were all ill the following morning.
"Authorities" had not responded by that point," she added.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, previously told that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
The prosecutor said the children were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson notified the authorities once more.
She stated the defendant then engaged in the "sweet game" in a area of five children.
