An individual who contaminated candy with tranquilliser and provided them to minors at a summer camp in the region has confessed to sexual offences against two young males aged nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight children and a grown-up fell ill at the facility in July.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at the courthouse on Friday.
Nevertheless, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old child.
The accused was remanded in custody ahead of a additional proceeding on late November.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, handling the case, outlined Ruben's offending to the court.
She explained his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a youth camp which he operated.
The man engaged in a "candy game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor stated, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and request they to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She told the court Ruben had conducted this practice with the young males "over an extended period", and children had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She said Ruben had been able to explain this repeatedly as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had worries in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "This year his stepson had worries about the activities, for good reason.
"They chose" to examine in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC stated items including baby oil, petroleum jelly and syringes were found, and his family member notified the authorities about his suspicions.
She said Ruben went on to play the "sweet game" with six children that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"The police had not arrived by that stage," she continued.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
Mrs Prior said the minors were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so the stepson notified the authorities again.
She stated Ruben then engaged in the "sweet game" in a space of five youngsters.
