A man who spiked treats with tranquilliser and gave them to youngsters at a summer camp in the region has confessed to sexual crimes against two young males both between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight children and a grown-up became sick at the location in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the judicial center on recently.
Nevertheless, he disputed a single sexual charge he was facing, which was concerning a young boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody before a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, described the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She stated his those affected were under-privileged children who were attending a youth camp which he operated.
Ruben engaged in a "sweet game" with the minors, the prosecutor stated, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and tell them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She told the court the defendant had played this game with the children "over an extended period", and children had previously become sick the following morning.
She stated the defendant had been able to explain this for many years as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had suspicions in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "In the summer" his family member had worries about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They chose" to investigate in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC said items including baby oil, Vaseline and medical needles were discovered, and his stepchild notified the police about his suspicions.
She explained the man went on to play the "treat game" with six boys that evening - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"The police had not responded by that stage," she added.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, had stated that it was investigating the police response of the situation.
The prosecutor stated the minors were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson called the police once more.
She said the man then conducted the "candy game" in a area of five children.
