An individual who laced sweets with tranquilliser and provided them to youngsters at a summer camp in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two children aged between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight minors and one adult became sick at the facility in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at the judicial center on Friday.
Yet, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody ahead of a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, detailed Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She stated his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a youth camp which he managed.
The man engaged in a "treat game" with the minors, the prosecutor said, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings the man had played this game with the children "for many years", and minors had previously fallen ill the next day.
She stated Ruben had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had concerns in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "In the summer" his family member had suspicions about the activities, for good reason.
"They resolved" to investigate in the individual's items."
The legal counsel stated objects including infant oil, petroleum jelly and injection devices were discovered, and his stepson contacted the police about his suspicions.
She said the defendant went on to play the "sweet game" with six youngsters that evening - that Saturday - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not responded by that time," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, had stated that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the events.
The prosecutor stated the minors were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so the stepson notified the authorities a second time.
She explained the defendant then played the "treat game" in a space of five youngsters.
