A man who contaminated treats with tranquilliser and provided them to youngsters at a summer camp in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two young males who were between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight minors and a grown-up became sick at Stathern Lodge in July.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at the courthouse on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he denied a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was concerning a young boy.
Ruben was held in detention prior to a further hearing on late November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, described Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She explained his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer camp which he managed.
Ruben conducted a "sweet game" with the minors, the legal counsel said, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings the man had conducted this practice with the young males "for many years", and children had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She said the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had suspicions in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "This year his family member had concerns about the situation, with valid cause.
"They chose" to examine in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC said items including infant oil, Vaseline and syringes were found, and his family member contacted the law enforcement about his concerns.
She stated Ruben proceeded to conduct the "sweet game" with six children that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that time," she continued.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, previously told that it was investigating the police response of the events.
The prosecutor explained the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so the family member contacted the police again.
She stated the man then played the "candy game" in a room of five children.
