A person who laced sweets with tranquilliser and gave them to youngsters at a summer program in the area has admitted sexual offenses against two boys both nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight minors and a grown-up experienced illness at the location in July.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
Yet, he disputed one particular crime he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
The accused was remanded in custody prior to a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, detailed the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She explained his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a summer program which he ran.
The defendant engaged in a "sweet game" with the minors, the legal counsel stated, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge Ruben had conducted this practice with the young males "repeatedly", and children had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She explained the man had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had concerns in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "Recently" his stepchild had suspicions about the situation, justifiably.
"They decided to investigate in the individual's items."
The legal counsel explained items including lubricant, Vaseline and injection devices were located, and his stepson contacted the police about his concerns.
She explained Ruben continued to play the "sweet game" with six children that night - July 26th - and they were all ill the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that point," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was reviewing the police response of the events.
The prosecutor explained the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson called the police once more.
She said the man then played the "treat game" in a area of five minors.
