A person who contaminated sweets with tranquilliser and distributed them to minors at a youth camp in the area has confessed to sexual offences against two children aged between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight youngsters and one adult became sick at the location in July.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the judicial center on the end of the week.
However, he denied one particular crime he was accused of, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was remanded in custody ahead of a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, detailed the defendant's actions to the court.
She explained his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer camp which he managed.
The man conducted a "candy game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel stated, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and request they to eat sweets "rapidly".
She stated to the judge Ruben had played this game with the children "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the next day.
She explained Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had concerns in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "Recently" his stepchild had concerns about what was going on, for good reason.
"They decided to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC explained items including lubricant, petroleum jelly and medical needles were discovered, and his stepchild alerted the law enforcement about his concerns.
She stated the defendant continued to play the "treat game" with six children that evening - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that stage," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, previously told that it was examining law enforcement's management of the incident.
The legal representative said the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so the stepson called the law enforcement once more.
She stated Ruben then conducted the "candy game" in a area of five youngsters.
