An individual who laced sweets with sleeping medication and gave them to youngsters at a summer camp in the region has admitted sexual offenses against two boys both nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight minors and a grown-up experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in July.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the judicial center on recently.
However, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was facing, which was concerning a young boy.
Ruben was kept in jail ahead of a further hearing on 28 November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, outlined Ruben's offending to the court.
She said his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer program which he ran.
Ruben conducted a "candy game" with the children, the prosecutor stated, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings the man had conducted this practice with the children "repeatedly", and minors had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She said the defendant had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had worries in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "In the summer" his stepson had suspicions about the activities, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel stated items including infant oil, petroleum jelly and syringes were located, and his stepson contacted the authorities about his concerns.
She said Ruben went on to conduct the "candy game" with six boys that evening - that Saturday - and they were all sick the next day.
"Authorities" had not responded by that point," she added.
The oversight body, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was reviewing the police response of the events.
The prosecutor stated the minors were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson notified the police a second time.
She said the man then played the "sweet game" in a space of five minors.
