A person who laced treats with tranquilliser and gave them to children at a summer camp in the region has admitted sexual offenses against two children who were nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight minors and an older person fell ill at the location in July.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the judicial center on recently.
However, he denied one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old child.
The accused was held in detention ahead of a additional proceeding on late November.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, handling the case, detailed Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She stated his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer camp which he ran.
The man conducted a "sweet game" with the children, Mrs Prior said, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the defendant had engaged in this activity with the young males "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She said Ruben had been able to explain this for many years as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had concerns in July 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "Recently" his family member had suspicions about the activities, for good reason.
"They resolved" to examine in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor stated objects including baby oil, Vaseline and injection devices were located, and his stepson contacted the police about his concerns.
She stated the defendant went on to engage in the "candy game" with six children that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that point," she added.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, had stated that it was investigating the police response of the incident.
Mrs Prior stated the children were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the family member notified the authorities once more.
She stated Ruben then engaged in the "sweet game" in a area of five youngsters.
