A man who laced candy with sleeping medication and provided them to children at a youth camp in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two children aged nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight minors and an older person fell ill at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at the courthouse on recently.
However, he disputed one particular crime he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was held in detention prior to a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, detailed Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She said his those affected were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer program which he managed.
The defendant conducted a "treat game" with the minors, the legal counsel said, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and request they to consume candy "rapidly".
She stated to the judge the defendant had played this game with the young males "over an extended period", and minors had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She explained the man had been able to explain this repeatedly as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had concerns in summer 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "This year his family member had suspicions about the situation, with valid cause.
"They chose" to investigate in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC stated items including infant oil, petroleum jelly and injection devices were found, and his stepchild notified the authorities about his worries.
She explained Ruben proceeded to play the "candy game" with six children that time - that Saturday - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"The police had not responded by that stage," she continued.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, had stated that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the situation.
Mrs Prior explained the children were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson notified the police a second time.
She said Ruben then conducted the "candy game" in a space of five youngsters.
