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An individual who contaminated candy with sedative and provided them to youngsters at a summer program in the region has confessed to sexual offences against two children who were between nine and ten.

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

The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the courthouse on Friday.

Yet, he denied one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old child.

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

'Candy game'

The legal representative, handling the case, described Ruben's offending to the court.

She explained his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a youth camp which he managed.

The man conducted a "treat game" with the minors, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to eat sweets "rapidly".

She stated to the judge the man had conducted this practice with the children "for many years", and children had previously become sick the subsequent day.

She explained Ruben had been capable of justifying this for many years as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had worries in July 2025.

Mrs Prior KC added: "Recently" his stepchild had suspicions about the activities, justifiably.

"They decided to examine in the individual's items."

Mrs Prior KC explained items including baby oil, Vaseline and syringes were discovered, and his stepchild notified the authorities about his worries.

She explained the man went on to conduct the "sweet game" with six youngsters that night - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the next day.

"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that stage," she stated further.

The police watchdog, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was reviewing the police response of the events.

The prosecutor stated the children were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson notified the authorities a second time.

She said Ruben then played the "sweet game" in a area of five children.