A person who spiked sweets with sleeping medication and provided them to children at a youth camp in the region has confessed to sexual crimes against two boys who were nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight youngsters and one adult became sick at Stathern Lodge in July.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the judicial center on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was held in detention prior to a additional proceeding on late November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, detailed the defendant's actions to the court.
She stated his targets were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer camp which he managed.
Ruben conducted a "candy game" with the children, the prosecutor said, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and ask them to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She told the court the man had engaged in this activity with the young males "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She explained the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had concerns in July 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "This year his stepchild had worries about what was going on, justifiably.
"They decided to have a look in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC explained materials including infant oil, ointment and injection devices were discovered, and his stepchild alerted the police about his concerns.
She said the defendant went on to conduct the "sweet game" with six youngsters that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the following morning.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that time," she stated further.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, previously told that it was investigating the police response of the incident.
The prosecutor explained the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson called the authorities a second time.
She explained the defendant then conducted the "treat game" in a space of five minors.
