A man who spiked candy with tranquilliser and distributed them to children at a summer program in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two young males aged nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight youngsters and one adult became sick at the location in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the courthouse on Friday.
However, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was concerning a young boy.
Ruben was remanded in custody prior to a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, outlined Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She explained his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a youth camp which he managed.
The man played a "treat game" with the children, the legal counsel explained, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She told the court Ruben had engaged in this activity with the boys "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She explained the defendant had been capable of justifying this for many years as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had suspicions in summer 2025.
The legal representative added: "This year his stepson had worries about the activities, for good reason.
"They decided to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor explained objects including infant oil, Vaseline and medical needles were discovered, and his stepchild notified the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She explained Ruben proceeded to play the "candy game" with six children that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that stage," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was examining the police response of the situation.
The prosecutor said the minors were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the stepson contacted the police a second time.
She stated the defendant then engaged in the "candy game" in a room of five minors.
