A person who laced treats with tranquilliser and distributed them to children at a youth camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two boys aged between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight youngsters and an older person experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he stood at the courthouse on Friday.
Yet, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was kept in jail ahead of a additional proceeding on late November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, outlined the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She stated his victims were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer camp which he operated.
The defendant engaged in a "candy game" with the minors, the prosecutor stated, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She told the court the man had played this game with the boys "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She stated the man had been able to explain this repeatedly as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had worries in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "In the summer" his family member had concerns about what was going on, justifiably.
"They resolved" to have a look in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC explained objects including infant oil, petroleum jelly and syringes were located, and his stepchild contacted the police about his worries.
She explained Ruben continued to conduct the "sweet game" with six boys that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the following morning.
"The police had not gone out by that time," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, previously told that it was examining law enforcement's management of the incident.
The prosecutor explained the children were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson called the police again.
She said the man then conducted the "treat game" in a room of five minors.
