A person who laced treats with tranquilliser and provided them to youngsters at a summer camp in the area has admitted sexual offences against two young males aged nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight minors and a grown-up fell ill at Stathern Lodge in July.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at the judicial center on the end of the week.
However, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was remanded in custody prior to a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, described Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She said his targets were under-privileged children who were attending a summer program which he managed.
The man played a "candy game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior said, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and request they to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the man had engaged in this activity with the boys "for many years", and minors had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She said the man had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had suspicions in summer 2025.
The legal representative continued: "This year his family member had concerns about the situation, justifiably.
"They decided to examine in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC said materials including baby oil, petroleum jelly and syringes were located, and his family member contacted the law enforcement about his concerns.
She stated the man continued to engage in the "candy game" with six youngsters that evening - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that time," she continued.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the events.
The prosecutor explained the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson notified the police a second time.
She said Ruben then played the "treat game" in a room of five children.
