A man who spiked sweets with sedative and gave them to youngsters at a summer camp in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two boys both nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight youngsters and a grown-up became sick at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the courthouse on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he denied a single sexual charge he was facing, which was against a young boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody prior to a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, detailed the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She said his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a youth camp which he ran.
The man conducted a "candy game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior said, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to consume candy "rapidly".
She told the court Ruben had engaged in this activity with the children "for many years", and minors had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She stated the man had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had concerns in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "In the summer" his stepchild had suspicions about what was going on, for good reason.
"They chose" to have a look in the individual's items."
The prosecutor stated items including lubricant, Vaseline and injection devices were found, and his stepson notified the police about his worries.
She explained the man proceeded to engage in the "treat game" with six youngsters that time - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"The police had not arrived by that point," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was examining law enforcement's management of the events.
Mrs Prior said the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson contacted the police a second time.
She explained the man then conducted the "sweet game" in a area of five youngsters.
