An individual who laced treats with sleeping medication and provided them to minors at a summer program in the region has confessed to sexual offenses against two children aged nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight children and an older person fell ill at the facility in July.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the courthouse on Friday.
However, he disputed a single sexual charge he was facing, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was held in detention ahead of a subsequent court date on late November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, described Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She said his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a youth camp which he managed.
The defendant conducted a "treat game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel said, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and tell them to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge Ruben had played this game with the boys "for many years", and youngsters had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She said Ruben had been capable of justifying this for many years as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had concerns in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "This year his stepchild had suspicions about the situation, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to have a look in the individual's items."
The legal counsel said materials including baby oil, ointment and injection devices were located, and his stepchild contacted the police about his concerns.
She explained the man proceeded to play the "treat game" with six youngsters that night - that Saturday - and they were all ill the next day.
"The police had not arrived by that time," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was examining law enforcement's management of the situation.
The prosecutor explained the minors were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the stepson notified the law enforcement again.
She said the defendant then conducted the "sweet game" in a space of five minors.
