A man who spiked candy with sleeping medication and provided them to minors at a youth camp in the region has confessed to sexual offenses against two boys who were nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight minors and an older person experienced illness at the facility in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at the courthouse on Friday.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was remanded in custody before a further hearing on late November.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, described Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She stated his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a youth camp which he operated.
The man conducted a "sweet game" with the children, the prosecutor stated, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to eat sweets "rapidly".
She stated to the judge the man had conducted this practice with the young males "for many years", and minors had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She explained the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had worries in July 2025.
The legal representative continued: "This year his stepson had worries about the situation, for good reason.
"They decided to examine in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC explained materials including infant oil, Vaseline and injection devices were found, and his stepson notified the police about his concerns.
She stated Ruben continued to play the "candy game" with six boys that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"The police had not responded by that time," she added.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, had stated that it was reviewing the police response of the events.
The legal representative stated the minors were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson notified the police once more.
She explained the defendant then conducted the "sweet game" in a room of five children.
