A man who spiked treats with sedative and provided them to youngsters at a youth camp in the region has admitted sexual crimes against two children both between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight youngsters and a grown-up became sick at the location in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he was present at the courthouse on recently.
Yet, he denied one particular crime he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was remanded in custody before a further hearing on late November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, outlined Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She stated his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer camp which he ran.
The man engaged in a "treat game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor said, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to consume candy "rapidly".
She told the court the defendant had engaged in this activity with the young males "for many years", and minors had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She explained the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had concerns in July 2025.
The legal representative added: "In the summer" his stepson had worries about the situation, justifiably.
"They decided to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel said objects including lubricant, ointment and medical needles were located, and his family member alerted the authorities about his suspicions.
She explained Ruben continued to engage in the "treat game" with six boys that evening - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that time," she continued.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, previously told that it was examining the police response of the situation.
The legal representative said the minors were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson notified the police again.
She stated the defendant then engaged in the "treat game" in a area of five youngsters.
