An individual who contaminated sweets with sleeping medication and provided them to youngsters at a summer program in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two children aged nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight youngsters and an older person experienced illness at the location in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at the judicial center on recently.
Yet, he denied a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was held in detention ahead of a further hearing on November 28th.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, described the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She explained his those affected were under-privileged children who were staying at a youth camp which he managed.
Ruben engaged in a "candy game" with the minors, Mrs Prior said, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were settling down and ask them to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge the defendant had engaged in this activity with the children "over an extended period", and minors had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She said the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had concerns in July 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "Recently" his stepchild had concerns about the situation, for good reason.
"They decided to have a look in the individual's items."
The prosecutor stated materials including baby oil, ointment and syringes were located, and his stepchild contacted the police about his worries.
She explained Ruben continued to conduct the "sweet game" with six children that night - July 26th - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"The police had not responded by that stage," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, had stated that it was examining the police response of the incident.
The prosecutor stated the minors were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the stepson called the law enforcement once more.
She stated the man then played the "candy game" in a area of five youngsters.
