An individual who contaminated sweets with sleeping medication and gave them to children at a youth camp in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two young males both nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight youngsters and an older person became sick at the location in July.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at the judicial center on the end of the week.
Yet, he denied one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was held in detention ahead of a further hearing on 28 November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, detailed Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She stated his victims were under-privileged children who were attending a youth camp which he operated.
Ruben conducted a "treat game" with the minors, the prosecutor explained, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She told the court Ruben had conducted this practice with the children "over an extended period", and children had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She said the man had been able to explain this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had concerns in July 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "This year his stepchild had suspicions about the activities, for good reason.
"They chose" to examine in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC stated objects including lubricant, ointment and syringes were found, and his family member contacted the law enforcement about his worries.
She said the defendant proceeded to engage in the "candy game" with six youngsters that time - that Saturday - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Authorities" had not responded by that time," she continued.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, had stated that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the situation.
The legal representative said the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so the family member called the law enforcement again.
She said the defendant then played the "candy game" in a area of five minors.
