A person who contaminated candy with sedative and gave them to minors at a summer camp in the region has admitted sexual crimes against two boys who were between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight children and an older person experienced illness at the facility in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the judicial center on recently.
However, he denied a single sexual charge he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was kept in jail ahead of a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, described the defendant's actions to the court.
She said his victims were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer camp which he operated.
The defendant conducted a "candy game" with the children, Mrs Prior said, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She told the court the man had conducted this practice with the young males "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She said Ruben had been able to explain this for many years as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had concerns in July 2025.
The prosecutor added: "Recently" his family member had suspicions about what was going on, for good reason.
"They decided to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC explained materials including infant oil, Vaseline and injection devices were discovered, and his stepson alerted the police about his worries.
She said the man continued to conduct the "sweet game" with six boys that evening - that Saturday - and they were all ill the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that point," she added.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the events.
The prosecutor stated the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson contacted the law enforcement again.
She said Ruben then played the "sweet game" in a room of five children.
