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An individual who spiked treats with sedative and gave them to minors at a youth camp in the region has confessed to sexual crimes against two young males who were nine and ten years old.

Jon Ruben was arrested after eight children and a grown-up experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.

The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the courthouse on recently.

However, he disputed a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old boy.

The defendant was remanded in custody ahead of a further hearing on late November.

'Treat game'

The prosecutor, presenting evidence, described the criminal behavior to the court.

She explained his those affected were under-privileged children who were attending a summer program which he ran.

Ruben engaged in a "sweet game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".

She informed the proceedings Ruben had engaged in this activity with the young males "for many years", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the following morning.

She stated the man had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had worries in summer 2025.

Mrs Prior KC continued: "Recently" his stepson had worries about the situation, justifiably.

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

The legal counsel said items including baby oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were located, and his stepson alerted the police about his worries.

She stated Ruben went on to conduct the "treat game" with six children that evening - July 26th - and they were all ill the following morning.

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

The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was investigating the police response of the situation.

The legal representative stated the children were struggling to walk due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson called the police once more.

She stated the man then conducted the "sweet game" in a area of five minors.