A man who laced candy with sedative and gave them to minors at a summer camp in the region has admitted sexual offenses against two children aged nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight children and an older person became sick at the location in July.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at the courthouse on recently.
Yet, he refused to admit one particular crime he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old child.
The accused was kept in jail ahead of a further hearing on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, handling the case, detailed the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She said his targets were under-privileged children who were attending a summer program which he operated.
The defendant played a "treat game" with the children, the legal counsel explained, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and ask them to eat sweets "rapidly".
She stated to the judge the defendant had conducted this practice with the boys "for many years", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She explained the man had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had worries in summer 2025.
The legal representative added: "This year his stepchild had suspicions about the activities, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to examine in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor stated materials including baby oil, Vaseline and injection devices were discovered, and his stepchild notified the police about his concerns.
She explained the man continued to play the "sweet game" with six youngsters that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"The police had not responded by that time," she added.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was investigating the police response of the situation.
The legal representative said the minors were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so the family member called the police once more.
She said the defendant then conducted the "sweet game" in a room of five minors.
