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A man who contaminated sweets with sleeping medication and distributed them to minors at a summer program in the area has confessed to sexual offenses against two boys both between nine and ten.

Jon Ruben was arrested after eight minors and an older person fell ill at the location in July.

The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the courthouse on Friday.

Nevertheless, he denied a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old boy.

The defendant was remanded in custody prior to a subsequent court date on November 28th.

'Sweet game'

The legal representative, handling the case, outlined the defendant's actions to the judicial body.

She stated his victims were under-privileged children who were participating in a youth camp which he managed.

Ruben engaged in a "candy game" with the minors, the legal counsel explained, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to consume candy "rapidly".

She told the court Ruben had conducted this practice with the boys "repeatedly", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.

She said the man had been able to explain this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had concerns in summer 2025.

The legal representative added: "In the summer" his family member had suspicions about what was going on, justifiably.

"They chose" to examine in the man's possessions."

Mrs Prior KC explained items including lubricant, Vaseline and syringes were located, and his stepson contacted the police about his worries.

She said the defendant proceeded to engage in the "sweet game" with six children that evening - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.

"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that stage," she continued.

The police watchdog, the police conduct office, previously told that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.

Mrs Prior explained the youngsters were struggling to walk due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson called the police again.

She stated Ruben then engaged in the "candy game" in a area of five youngsters.