A man who laced candy with sedative and gave them to minors at a youth camp in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two children both between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight children and an older person fell ill at Stathern Lodge in July.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the courthouse on recently.
Nevertheless, he disputed a single sexual charge he was facing, which was involving a young boy.
Ruben was held in detention before a further hearing on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, handling the case, detailed the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She explained his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer program which he ran.
The defendant played a "sweet game" with the children, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and ask them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She told the court the defendant had engaged in this activity with the children "repeatedly", and minors had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She explained the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had concerns in July 2025.
The prosecutor added: "Recently" his stepchild had concerns about the situation, with valid cause.
"They chose" to examine in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC said items including infant oil, Vaseline and syringes were discovered, and his family member contacted the law enforcement about his concerns.
She stated the man continued to engage in the "treat game" with six boys that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not responded by that stage," she added.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, previously told that it was investigating the police response of the situation.
The legal representative stated the children were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson contacted the law enforcement once more.
She explained Ruben then engaged in the "treat game" in a room of five minors.
