An individual who laced candy with sedative and gave them to youngsters at a youth camp in the area has admitted sexual crimes against two boys aged nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight minors and an older person experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the courthouse on recently.
However, he denied one particular crime he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was kept in jail before a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, described Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She said his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a youth camp which he managed.
The defendant conducted a "candy game" with the children, the prosecutor stated, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and request they to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge Ruben had engaged in this activity with the young males "for many years", and minors had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She explained Ruben had been able to explain this for many years as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had suspicions in July 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "This year his stepchild had worries about the activities, justifiably.
"They chose" to investigate in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC stated objects including lubricant, Vaseline and injection devices were found, and his family member contacted the police about his worries.
She stated the defendant proceeded to conduct the "sweet game" with six boys that evening - that Saturday - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not responded by that time," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
The prosecutor explained the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson notified the authorities a second time.
She said the defendant then engaged in the "treat game" in a area of five youngsters.
