An individual who contaminated candy with sleeping medication and provided them to children at a summer program in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two boys both between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight youngsters and one adult became sick at the location in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the courthouse on Friday.
Yet, he disputed a single sexual charge he was facing, which was concerning a young boy.
Ruben was remanded in custody before a further hearing on late November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, outlined the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She explained his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a summer camp which he ran.
The man conducted a "sweet game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor said, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were settling down and request they to eat sweets "rapidly".
She stated to the judge the man had conducted this practice with the young males "repeatedly", and minors had previously become sick the next day.
She stated the defendant had been capable of justifying this for many years as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had worries in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "Recently" his stepson had concerns about the situation, with valid cause.
"They decided to have a look in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC said items including infant oil, petroleum jelly and syringes were located, and his stepchild alerted the authorities about his worries.
She said the man continued to engage in the "candy game" with six children that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"The police had not arrived by that stage," she added.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was reviewing the police response of the events.
The prosecutor stated the minors were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson called the law enforcement once more.
She said the man then conducted the "treat game" in a space of five youngsters.
