An individual who spiked candy with sedative and gave them to youngsters at a summer program in the region has admitted sexual offences against two young males aged nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight minors and a grown-up experienced illness at the location in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the judicial center on recently.
Yet, he disputed a single sexual charge he was facing, which was involving a young boy.
Ruben was kept in jail prior to a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, handling the case, described Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She stated his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a youth camp which he ran.
The defendant played a "treat game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and tell them to consume candy "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had played this game with the young males "for many years", and minors had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She stated Ruben had been capable of justifying this for many years as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had concerns in July 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "In the summer" his stepson had concerns about what was going on, justifiably.
"They resolved" to examine in the individual's items."
The legal counsel explained materials including lubricant, petroleum jelly and syringes were found, and his stepchild contacted the police about his worries.
She explained Ruben proceeded to play the "sweet game" with six boys that evening - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"The police had not responded by that time," she continued.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was examining the police response of the events.
Mrs Prior said the minors were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the family member notified the law enforcement again.
She explained Ruben then engaged in the "sweet game" in a room of five children.
