A man who contaminated candy with sedative and distributed them to minors at a youth camp in the region has confessed to sexual offenses against two boys aged nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight youngsters and a grown-up fell ill at Stathern Lodge in July.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he was present at the courthouse on the end of the week.
However, he denied a single sexual charge he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was kept in jail before a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, outlined Ruben's offending to the court.
She said his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a youth camp which he operated.
The man engaged in a "sweet game" with the minors, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She told the court the man had played this game with the children "over an extended period", and children had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She stated the defendant had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had worries in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "In the summer" his family member had suspicions about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They chose" to have a look in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor stated items including lubricant, ointment and medical needles were located, and his family member contacted the law enforcement about his concerns.
She said the defendant went on to engage in the "treat game" with six youngsters that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that stage," she added.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, had stated that it was reviewing the police response of the situation.
The prosecutor explained the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson notified the law enforcement once more.
She stated the man then engaged in the "treat game" in a room of five children.
