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A person who contaminated treats with tranquilliser and provided them to minors at a youth camp in the area has confessed to sexual offences against two children both between nine and ten.

Jon Ruben was detained after eight minors and an older person fell ill at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.

The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on recently.

However, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.

The accused was kept in jail prior to a additional proceeding on 28 November.

'Treat game'

Mary Prior KC, handling the case, described Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.

She stated his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a summer camp which he operated.

Ruben played a "sweet game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel stated, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were settling down and ask them to eat sweets "as fast as possible".

She told the court the defendant had played this game with the young males "repeatedly", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the next day.

She explained the man had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had concerns in summer 2025.

The prosecutor added: "Recently" his stepson had worries about what was going on, with valid cause.

"They resolved" to have a look in the individual's items."

Mrs Prior KC stated objects including infant oil, petroleum jelly and syringes were found, and his stepchild contacted the law enforcement about his concerns.

She said the man continued to play the "sweet game" with six boys that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.

"Authorities" had not arrived by that time," she added.

The regulatory agency, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was examining law enforcement's management of the situation.

The legal representative explained the minors were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so the family member contacted the law enforcement again.

She stated the man then played the "candy game" in a room of five children.