An individual who laced treats with sedative and provided them to minors at a summer camp in the area has confessed to sexual offenses against two children both between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight children and one adult fell ill at the location in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the judicial center on recently.
Nevertheless, he denied one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was held in detention ahead of a further hearing on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, outlined the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She stated his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a youth camp which he managed.
Ruben engaged in a "candy game" with the children, the legal counsel said, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She told the court Ruben had conducted this practice with the children "repeatedly", and children had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She stated the defendant had been able to explain this repeatedly as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had suspicions in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "This year his family member had worries about what was going on, justifiably.
"They decided to have a look in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel stated materials including baby oil, petroleum jelly and injection devices were discovered, and his stepchild notified the authorities about his worries.
She explained the man went on to engage in the "candy game" with six youngsters that night - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"The police had not responded by that point," she continued.
The oversight body, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was reviewing the police response of the incident.
The legal representative said the children were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the stepson called the police again.
She said Ruben then engaged in the "candy game" in a room of five children.
