A man who laced treats with sedative and provided them to minors at a summer camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two children aged nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight minors and one adult fell ill at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the judicial center on Friday.
However, he disputed a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was kept in jail before a additional proceeding on late November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, described Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She said his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a youth camp which he operated.
Ruben conducted a "treat game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had engaged in this activity with the children "repeatedly", and children had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She stated Ruben had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had concerns in summer 2025.
The legal representative added: "This year his stepson had worries about the activities, with valid cause.
"They chose" to investigate in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor explained materials including lubricant, Vaseline and injection devices were found, and his family member notified the law enforcement about his concerns.
She said the man proceeded to engage in the "treat game" with six boys that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that time," she added.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
Mrs Prior said the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the family member contacted the police a second time.
She said the defendant then engaged in the "sweet game" in a space of five minors.
