An individual who laced sweets with sleeping medication and provided them to youngsters at a summer camp in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two boys aged nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight children and one adult experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the courthouse on recently.
Yet, he disputed a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was involving a young boy.
The accused was held in detention before a further hearing on late November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, outlined the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She said his targets were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer camp which he operated.
The man played a "sweet game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel stated, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the defendant had engaged in this activity with the young males "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously become sick the next day.
She explained Ruben had been able to explain this repeatedly as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had suspicions in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "This year his family member had suspicions about the activities, justifiably.
"They chose" to examine in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC stated items including lubricant, Vaseline and syringes were located, and his stepson alerted the authorities about his concerns.
She stated the defendant continued to play the "candy game" with six youngsters that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Authorities" had not responded by that point," she added.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, had stated that it was examining the police response of the incident.
The legal representative said the children were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so the family member notified the police again.
She explained the man then conducted the "candy game" in a space of five children.
