A man who contaminated sweets with sedative and distributed them to children at a summer program in the area has admitted sexual offences against two young males who were nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight youngsters and one adult became sick at the location in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he stood at the courthouse on recently.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was kept in jail prior to a additional proceeding on late November.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, described Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She said his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer program which he operated.
Ruben played a "treat game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were settling down and ask them to consume candy "rapidly".
She told the court the defendant had conducted this practice with the children "for many years", and minors had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She said Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had suspicions in July 2025.
The legal representative added: "In the summer" his stepson had suspicions about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to examine in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor explained items including infant oil, Vaseline and medical needles were located, and his stepchild alerted the authorities about his suspicions.
She stated Ruben proceeded to play the "treat game" with six children that night - that Saturday - and they were all ill the next day.
"The police had not responded by that time," she continued.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
The prosecutor explained the minors were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the family member contacted the law enforcement a second time.
She said the defendant then conducted the "candy game" in a room of five minors.
