A man who spiked candy with sleeping medication and distributed them to children at a summer program in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two children both nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight children and an older person fell ill at the facility in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the courthouse on recently.
However, he disputed one particular crime he was facing, which was involving a young boy.
Ruben was kept in jail before a further hearing on November 28th.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, described Ruben's offending to the court.
She said his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a youth camp which he operated.
The defendant played a "candy game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor explained, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and request they to consume candy "rapidly".
She stated to the judge the defendant had conducted this practice with the children "for many years", and youngsters had previously become sick the following morning.
She stated the defendant had been capable of justifying this for many years as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had worries in July 2025.
The prosecutor added: "In the summer" his family member had concerns about the activities, justifiably.
"They resolved" to investigate in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC said objects including baby oil, Vaseline and injection devices were located, and his stepchild notified the police about his concerns.
She said the defendant continued to conduct the "treat game" with six children that night - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"The police had not responded by that time," she stated further.
The oversight body, the investigative body, previously told that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the situation.
Mrs Prior stated the minors were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson notified the police once more.
She stated the man then played the "sweet game" in a area of five children.
