A person who laced sweets with tranquilliser and distributed them to minors at a summer program in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two young males both nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight minors and a grown-up experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the courthouse on recently.
However, he disputed a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
The accused was held in detention prior to a subsequent court date on late November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, described the defendant's actions to the court.
She said his those affected were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer program which he operated.
The man played a "sweet game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor stated, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She told the court the man had played this game with the young males "repeatedly", and children had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She said the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had suspicions in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "This year his stepchild had concerns about the activities, with valid cause.
"They chose" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC explained materials including baby oil, Vaseline and syringes were discovered, and his family member notified the authorities about his worries.
She stated Ruben continued to conduct the "treat game" with six youngsters that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that point," she continued.
The oversight body, the investigative body, previously told that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
The prosecutor explained the youngsters were struggling to walk due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson called the authorities a second time.
She explained Ruben then played the "candy game" in a space of five minors.
