A person who contaminated treats with sedative and distributed them to children at a summer camp in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two children who were nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight minors and one adult fell ill at the location in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he stood at the judicial center on recently.
However, he denied one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was kept in jail before a further hearing on late November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, outlined Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She explained his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a youth camp which he managed.
The man conducted a "candy game" with the children, the legal counsel stated, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings the man had played this game with the boys "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She stated Ruben had been capable of justifying this for many years as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had concerns in summer 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "In the summer" his stepson had concerns about the situation, for good reason.
"They decided to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC stated materials including infant oil, petroleum jelly and syringes were discovered, and his stepson notified the police about his concerns.
She said the defendant went on to conduct the "treat game" with six youngsters that evening - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that stage," she stated further.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, had stated that it was examining law enforcement's management of the situation.
Mrs Prior stated the children were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the family member called the law enforcement a second time.
She explained Ruben then played the "candy game" in a room of five children.
