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A man who spiked treats with sleeping medication and provided them to youngsters at a summer program in the area has confessed to sexual offenses against two boys both nine and 10.

Jon Ruben was detained after eight minors and a grown-up fell ill at the location in mid-summer.

The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the judicial center on Friday.

Yet, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was involving a nine-year-old child.

The defendant was kept in jail ahead of a subsequent court date on late November.

'Sweet game'

The prosecutor, presenting evidence, detailed the criminal behavior to the judicial body.

She stated his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a youth camp which he operated.

The defendant conducted a "candy game" with the children, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to consume candy "rapidly".

She stated to the judge Ruben had conducted this practice with the young males "repeatedly", and children had previously become sick the following morning.

She explained the man had been capable of justifying this for many years as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had suspicions in summer 2025.

The prosecutor continued: "In the summer" his stepchild had worries about the situation, justifiably.

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

Mrs Prior KC said items including lubricant, Vaseline and medical needles were discovered, and his family member notified the authorities about his worries.

She stated Ruben continued to engage in the "treat game" with six youngsters that time - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.

"Authorities" had not gone out by that time," she continued.

The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, previously told that it was examining the police response of the situation.

The legal representative stated the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson notified the police a second time.

She said Ruben then played the "candy game" in a room of five children.