A man who laced candy with sedative and gave them to children at a summer camp in the region has admitted sexual offenses against two young males who were nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight children and an older person became sick at Stathern Lodge in July.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
However, he denied a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was kept in jail prior to a further hearing on November 28th.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, described the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She said his victims were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer program which he ran.
The defendant engaged in a "treat game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor said, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and request they to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the defendant had engaged in this activity with the children "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously become sick the next day.
She stated the man had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had worries in summer 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "Recently" his family member had concerns about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They chose" to investigate in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor explained materials including infant oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were found, and his stepchild alerted the police about his concerns.
She stated Ruben went on to engage in the "treat game" with six children that evening - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that stage," she continued.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was investigating the police response of the situation.
The prosecutor explained the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the stepson contacted the police once more.
She stated the defendant then engaged in the "candy game" in a space of five youngsters.
