An individual who spiked candy with sleeping medication and gave them to minors at a summer program in the area has confessed to sexual crimes against two boys who were nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight minors and a grown-up fell ill at the location in July.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the judicial center on Friday.
Yet, he denied one particular crime he was facing, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was kept in jail before a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, detailed the criminal behavior to the court.
She explained his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer camp which he ran.
The man conducted a "sweet game" with the minors, the legal counsel said, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and tell them to eat sweets "rapidly".
She stated to the judge the defendant had conducted this practice with the boys "for many years", and minors had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She stated the man had been able to explain this over a long period as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had concerns in summer 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "In the summer" his stepchild had concerns about the activities, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to investigate in the individual's items."
The prosecutor explained objects including infant oil, Vaseline and injection devices were located, and his stepchild alerted the authorities about his suspicions.
She said the man continued to engage in the "sweet game" with six children that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"The police had not responded by that stage," she stated further.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the situation.
The legal representative stated the children were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson called the police again.
She explained the man then played the "treat game" in a room of five minors.
