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A person who spiked candy with tranquilliser and distributed them to minors at a summer program in the area has confessed to sexual offenses against two young males both between nine and ten.

Jon Ruben was arrested after eight minors and one adult experienced illness at the facility in the summer month.

The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the judicial center on Friday.

Nevertheless, he disputed a single sexual charge he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.

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

'Candy game'

Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, described Ruben's offending to the judicial body.

She explained his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer camp which he ran.

The man conducted a "treat game" with the minors, the prosecutor stated, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".

She informed the proceedings the man had conducted this practice with the children "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.

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

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

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

The prosecutor explained objects including baby oil, ointment and medical needles were found, and his stepson alerted the police about his worries.

She said Ruben continued to conduct the "candy game" with six boys that evening - July 26th - and they were all ill the subsequent day.

"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that time," she stated further.

The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the situation.

The prosecutor explained the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the stepson called the law enforcement a second time.

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