A man who contaminated treats with sleeping medication and distributed them to children at a summer camp in the region has confessed to sexual offences against two boys both between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight youngsters and a grown-up fell ill at the location in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at the judicial center on Friday.
Nevertheless, he disputed a single sexual charge he was facing, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was remanded in custody before a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, detailed Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She explained his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a summer program which he ran.
The defendant conducted a "candy game" with the minors, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and request they to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had played this game with the children "for many years", and children had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She explained Ruben had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had worries in July 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "Recently" his stepson had suspicions about the activities, for good reason.
"They resolved" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor explained items including baby oil, Vaseline and medical needles were found, and his family member contacted the police about his worries.
She said the man went on to conduct the "treat game" with six youngsters that night - July 26th - and they were all sick the next day.
"Authorities" had not responded by that stage," she added.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was examining the police response of the situation.
The prosecutor stated the children were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the stepson called the police again.
She explained the defendant then conducted the "treat game" in a space of five minors.
