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A person who spiked sweets with sedative and provided them to children at a summer program in the region has admitted sexual crimes against two young males who were nine and ten years old.

Jon Ruben was detained after eight children and one adult became sick at the location in the summer month.

The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.

Yet, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was concerning a young boy.

The accused was remanded in custody prior to a subsequent court date on late November.

'Sweet game'

The prosecutor, prosecuting, described the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.

She explained his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer program which he operated.

The defendant played a "treat game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel explained, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".

She told the court Ruben had engaged in this activity with the boys "repeatedly", and children had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.

She said the defendant had been able to explain this for many years as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had concerns in summer 2025.

Mrs Prior KC stated further: "This year his stepchild had concerns about what was going on, justifiably.

"They chose" to investigate in the individual's items."

The legal counsel said materials including baby oil, Vaseline and injection devices were discovered, and his family member alerted the police about his worries.

She stated Ruben went on to play the "treat game" with six youngsters that night - July 26th - and they were all ill the next day.

"Authorities" had not arrived by that point," she stated further.

The regulatory agency, the investigative body, previously told that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the incident.

The prosecutor explained the children were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the family member called the law enforcement again.

She stated the defendant then engaged in the "candy game" in a area of five minors.