An individual who laced sweets with sedative and gave them to youngsters at a summer camp in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two young males who were between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight minors and a grown-up experienced illness at the location in July.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the judicial center on Friday.
However, he denied a single sexual charge he was facing, which was involving a young boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody ahead of a further hearing on 28 November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, detailed Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She said his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a youth camp which he operated.
Ruben conducted a "treat game" with the minors, the prosecutor said, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She told the court Ruben had engaged in this activity with the boys "for many years", and minors had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She stated the defendant had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had suspicions in summer 2025.
The legal representative continued: "This year his stepson had concerns about what was going on, for good reason.
"They chose" to have a look in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel explained items including lubricant, ointment and injection devices were located, and his stepson contacted the law enforcement about his concerns.
She said Ruben went on to play the "sweet game" with six youngsters that time - July 26th - and they were all sick the next day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that point," she added.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was examining law enforcement's management of the situation.
Mrs Prior stated the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson notified the law enforcement once more.
She said Ruben then conducted the "sweet game" in a area of five youngsters.
