An individual who laced candy with sedative and distributed them to children at a youth camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two children who were nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight minors and one adult became sick at the location in July.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the courthouse on recently.
Nevertheless, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was held in detention prior to a further hearing on late November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, described the criminal behavior to the court.
She stated his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a summer camp which he ran.
The man conducted a "sweet game" with the children, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge the man had engaged in this activity with the boys "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She stated the man had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had concerns in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "In the summer" his stepson had suspicions about the activities, for good reason.
"They chose" to investigate in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC stated items including infant oil, ointment and injection devices were discovered, and his family member notified the authorities about his concerns.
She stated the man continued to play the "treat game" with six children that time - that Saturday - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that time," she added.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, had stated that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the events.
Mrs Prior stated the minors were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson contacted the authorities again.
She said Ruben then played the "treat game" in a room of five youngsters.