An individual who contaminated candy with sedative and gave them to minors at a summer program in the area has confessed to sexual offenses against two children both nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight youngsters and an older person experienced illness at the location in the summer month.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Nevertheless, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was against a young boy.
The accused was held in detention before a subsequent court date on late November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, outlined Ruben's offending to the court.
She said his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a summer camp which he operated.
Ruben conducted a "treat game" with the children, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and request they to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had played this game with the children "for many years", and children had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She said the defendant had been able to explain this repeatedly as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had concerns in July 2025.
The prosecutor added: "This year his stepson had suspicions about what was going on, for good reason.
"They chose" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor said objects including baby oil, ointment and syringes were discovered, and his family member contacted the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She explained Ruben went on to play the "treat game" with six youngsters that evening - that Saturday - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that point," she continued.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was examining law enforcement's management of the events.
Mrs Prior stated the minors were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so the family member notified the law enforcement a second time.
She stated Ruben then played the "candy game" in a room of five youngsters.
