A man who spiked sweets with tranquilliser and gave them to children at a youth camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two young males who were nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight minors and a grown-up fell ill at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the judicial center on recently.
Yet, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old child.
The accused was kept in jail before a further hearing on November 28th.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, handling the case, detailed the defendant's actions to the court.
She said his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer program which he managed.
The man engaged in a "candy game" with the minors, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and ask them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings the man had played this game with the young males "for many years", and children had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She said the man had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had concerns in July 2025.
The legal representative added: "This year his stepson had suspicions about the situation, justifiably.
"They chose" to investigate in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor said materials including infant oil, Vaseline and medical needles were discovered, and his stepson contacted the law enforcement about his worries.
She stated Ruben went on to engage in the "treat game" with six boys that time - that Saturday - and they were all ill the following morning.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that time," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was reviewing the police response of the situation.
Mrs Prior said the minors were struggling to walk due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson contacted the authorities a second time.
She said the defendant then conducted the "treat game" in a space of five minors.
