An individual who contaminated sweets with tranquilliser and distributed them to minors at a youth camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two boys aged nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight youngsters and an older person became sick at Stathern Lodge in July.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he was present at the courthouse on recently.
Yet, he denied one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody ahead of a further hearing on 28 November.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, detailed Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She explained his victims were under-privileged children who were participating in a youth camp which he managed.
The defendant played a "candy game" with the children, the legal counsel stated, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and request they to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge the defendant had engaged in this activity with the children "repeatedly", and children had previously become sick the next day.
She explained the man had been able to explain this repeatedly as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had concerns in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "This year his stepson had worries about the activities, for good reason.
"They decided to have a look in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor stated items including lubricant, Vaseline and syringes were found, and his family member notified the police about his suspicions.
She explained the defendant proceeded to conduct the "candy game" with six boys that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the next day.
"The police had not responded by that stage," she added.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the incident.
The legal representative stated the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so the stepson contacted the law enforcement once more.
She explained Ruben then played the "treat game" in a area of five youngsters.
