A man who spiked treats with tranquilliser and gave them to children at a youth camp in the region has admitted sexual offenses against two boys who were nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight youngsters and a grown-up experienced illness at the facility in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the judicial center on recently.
However, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was concerning a young boy.
The defendant was kept in jail prior to a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, outlined Ruben's offending to the court.
She stated his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer program which he operated.
The defendant conducted a "sweet game" with the children, the prosecutor explained, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings the man had engaged in this activity with the young males "over an extended period", and children had previously become sick the next day.
She said the man had been able to explain this for many years as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had worries in July 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "In the summer" his family member had worries about the situation, for good reason.
"They decided to investigate in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor explained items including lubricant, ointment and syringes were located, and his family member notified the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She explained the defendant continued to engage in the "treat game" with six boys that night - July 26th - and they were all ill the following morning.
"Authorities" had not responded by that stage," she continued.
The oversight body, the investigative body, previously told that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the incident.
Mrs Prior stated the children were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson notified the law enforcement a second time.
She said the defendant then engaged in the "sweet game" in a area of five children.
