An individual who laced sweets with tranquilliser and provided them to youngsters at a summer program in the area has admitted sexual offenses against two boys both nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight children and an older person fell ill at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the courthouse on recently.
However, he denied a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was against a young boy.
The accused was held in detention prior to a further hearing on late November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, described the criminal behavior to the court.
She stated his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a youth camp which he operated.
The man engaged in a "sweet game" with the minors, the prosecutor said, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She told the court the man had played this game with the children "repeatedly", and children had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She said the defendant had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had concerns in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "This year his stepson had concerns about the activities, with valid cause.
"They chose" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel explained objects including baby oil, Vaseline and syringes were located, and his stepson notified the authorities about his worries.
She stated the man continued to play the "treat game" with six boys that time - that Saturday - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not responded by that point," she added.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, had stated that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the events.
The legal representative stated the children were struggling to walk due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson called the authorities once more.
She said the man then engaged in the "candy game" in a room of five youngsters.
