A man who laced sweets with sedative and distributed them to youngsters at a summer program in the region has confessed to sexual crimes against two boys both nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight minors and one adult became sick at Stathern Lodge in July.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at the courthouse on the end of the week.
Yet, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was facing, which was involving a young boy.
Ruben was held in detention ahead of a further hearing on late November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, described Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She stated his those affected were under-privileged children who were attending a summer camp which he ran.
The defendant played a "treat game" with the children, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the man had conducted this practice with the children "for many years", and children had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She said Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had suspicions in July 2025.
The legal representative continued: "This year his stepson had concerns about the situation, justifiably.
"They chose" to investigate in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor stated materials including infant oil, Vaseline and syringes were discovered, and his family member notified the authorities about his suspicions.
She said the defendant continued to conduct the "treat game" with six boys that time - July 26th - and they were all ill the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that time," she continued.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was examining the police response of the events.
The prosecutor stated the minors were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the stepson called the authorities again.
She explained Ruben then engaged in the "treat game" in a space of five youngsters.
