A man who contaminated treats with sedative and distributed them to youngsters at a summer camp in the region has confessed to sexual crimes against two children who were between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight youngsters and an older person fell ill at the location in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the courthouse on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he denied one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was involving a young boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody ahead of a subsequent court date on late November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, detailed Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She explained his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer program which he operated.
Ruben conducted a "sweet game" with the minors, the prosecutor stated, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She told the court the man had engaged in this activity with the children "for many years", and minors had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She stated the defendant had been capable of justifying this for many years as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had concerns in summer 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "This year his stepson had concerns about the activities, for good reason.
"They decided to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor explained materials including infant oil, Vaseline and syringes were discovered, and his family member contacted the police about his worries.
She said the defendant continued to play the "treat game" with six boys that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the following morning.
"The police had not gone out by that point," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was investigating the police response of the events.
The legal representative stated the minors were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the stepson notified the authorities a second time.
She stated the man then played the "treat game" in a area of five youngsters.
