A man who contaminated sweets with sleeping medication and gave them to youngsters at a summer camp in the area has confessed to sexual crimes against two boys aged nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight children and an older person fell ill at the location in July.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the judicial center on recently.
Yet, he denied a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was remanded in custody ahead of a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, described the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She explained his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer camp which he operated.
Ruben engaged in a "candy game" with the children, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and ask them to eat sweets "rapidly".
She stated to the judge the defendant had engaged in this activity with the children "for many years", and children had previously become sick the following morning.
She stated Ruben had been able to explain this for many years as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had concerns in July 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "Recently" his family member had suspicions about what was going on, justifiably.
"They resolved" to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel said objects including lubricant, petroleum jelly and medical needles were discovered, and his family member notified the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She said Ruben went on to play the "candy game" with six boys that night - that Saturday - and they were all ill the next day.
"The police had not responded by that point," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, had stated that it was examining the police response of the situation.
The legal representative said the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the stepson notified the law enforcement again.
She explained the defendant then conducted the "candy game" in a area of five minors.
