A man who contaminated sweets with sedative and provided them to youngsters at a youth camp in the region has admitted sexual crimes against two boys both nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight youngsters and one adult experienced illness at the facility in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the judicial center on recently.
However, he disputed one particular crime he was facing, which was against a young boy.
The accused was held in detention before a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, outlined the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She stated his those affected were under-privileged children who were attending a summer camp which he operated.
The defendant engaged in a "treat game" with the minors, the prosecutor explained, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She told the court the man had conducted this practice with the children "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously become sick the next day.
She said the man had been able to explain this for many years as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had worries in July 2025.
The prosecutor added: "In the summer" his stepson had worries about the situation, for good reason.
"They chose" to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor said objects including infant oil, Vaseline and syringes were discovered, and his family member contacted the police about his concerns.
She said the man proceeded to conduct the "candy game" with six youngsters that time - that Saturday - and they were all ill the next day.
"Authorities" had not responded by that time," she added.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was investigating the police response of the incident.
The prosecutor explained the minors were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson notified the authorities again.
She explained Ruben then played the "treat game" in a space of five youngsters.
