A man who spiked candy with sleeping medication and distributed them to youngsters at a summer program in the region has admitted sexual crimes against two children who were nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight children and a grown-up experienced illness at the facility in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he was present at the judicial center on recently.
However, he refused to admit one particular crime he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was kept in jail prior to a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, described the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She said his victims were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer program which he ran.
The man conducted a "treat game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel said, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge Ruben had engaged in this activity with the children "for many years", and minors had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She said Ruben had been able to explain this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had worries in summer 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "Recently" his stepson had suspicions about the activities, justifiably.
"They chose" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC explained objects including baby oil, ointment and medical needles were found, and his family member contacted the law enforcement about his concerns.
She stated Ruben went on to engage in the "treat game" with six boys that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the following morning.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that point," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was reviewing the police response of the events.
The prosecutor said the youngsters were struggling to walk due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson notified the police once more.
She said the defendant then engaged in the "treat game" in a area of five minors.
