A person who spiked treats with sleeping medication and provided them to minors at a summer camp in the region has admitted sexual offenses against two young males who were between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight youngsters and an older person fell ill at the facility in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he was present at the judicial center on recently.
Yet, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was remanded in custody ahead of a additional proceeding on late November.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, outlined Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She said his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a youth camp which he operated.
The defendant played a "treat game" with the minors, the prosecutor stated, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the man had engaged in this activity with the children "over an extended period", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She said the man had been able to explain this over a long period as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had concerns in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "This year his stepchild had worries about the activities, with valid cause.
"They chose" to have a look in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC explained materials including lubricant, Vaseline and syringes were discovered, and his family member contacted the law enforcement about his worries.
She said the defendant continued to conduct the "treat game" with six boys that night - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"The police had not responded by that stage," she stated further.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, previously told that it was examining the police response of the incident.
The prosecutor explained the minors were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the family member contacted the police once more.
She stated Ruben then engaged in the "candy game" in a space of five minors.
