A person who contaminated candy with sedative and distributed them to minors at a summer program in the region has admitted sexual crimes against two boys both between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight minors and one adult became sick at the facility in the summer month.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at the courthouse on recently.
However, he disputed one particular crime he was accused of, which was concerning a young boy.
Ruben was remanded in custody prior to a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, described Ruben's offending to the court.
She stated his targets were under-privileged children who were attending a youth camp which he ran.
Ruben engaged in a "sweet game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior said, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had engaged in this activity with the children "over an extended period", and minors had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She stated the defendant had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had worries in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "Recently" his family member had worries about what was going on, for good reason.
"They resolved" to examine in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor said materials including lubricant, ointment and injection devices were located, and his stepson notified the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She explained the man proceeded to play the "candy game" with six boys that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that stage," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, had stated that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
The prosecutor explained the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so the stepson called the police a second time.
She stated the man then conducted the "candy game" in a space of five minors.
