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An individual who contaminated treats with sedative and distributed them to youngsters at a summer camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two children who were nine and 10.

Jon Ruben was arrested after eight children and an older person became sick at Stathern Lodge in July.

The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he was present at the judicial center on the end of the week.

Yet, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was concerning a young boy.

The accused was remanded in custody prior to a additional proceeding on 28 November.

'Treat game'

The legal representative, prosecuting, detailed Ruben's offending to the judicial body.

She stated his targets were under-privileged children who were attending a summer camp which he managed.

The man played a "candy game" with the minors, the legal counsel explained, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and tell them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".

She informed the proceedings the defendant had played this game with the young males "for many years", and children had earlier experienced illness the next day.

She explained the defendant had been capable of justifying this for many years as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had worries in July 2025.

The prosecutor continued: "In the summer" his family member had concerns about the activities, justifiably.

"They decided to examine in the defendant's belongings."

Mrs Prior KC stated items including infant oil, petroleum jelly and syringes were found, and his family member alerted the law enforcement about his suspicions.

She explained the man continued to engage in the "sweet game" with six children that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the following morning.

"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that time," she added.

The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the incident.

The prosecutor explained the minors were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the family member contacted the authorities a second time.

She explained the defendant then engaged in the "candy game" in a space of five children.