A man who contaminated sweets with sleeping medication and distributed them to children at a summer program in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two boys who were between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight children and a grown-up became sick at the location in the summer month.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at the judicial center on Friday.
Yet, he disputed one particular crime he was facing, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody prior to a further hearing on late November.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, outlined Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She explained his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer program which he operated.
The defendant played a "sweet game" with the minors, the legal counsel stated, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were settling down and request they to eat sweets "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings the man had played this game with the young males "for many years", and youngsters had previously become sick the following morning.
She said Ruben had been able to explain this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had concerns in summer 2025.
The legal representative added: "In the summer" his stepchild had concerns about the situation, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to examine in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC stated objects including lubricant, Vaseline and injection devices were located, and his stepson contacted the authorities about his worries.
She explained the man continued to conduct the "sweet game" with six youngsters that night - that Saturday - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that time," she stated further.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was examining the police response of the events.
The legal representative explained the children were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson called the authorities a second time.
She explained the defendant then played the "treat game" in a room of five children.
