An individual who laced sweets with tranquilliser and gave them to children at a summer program in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two boys both between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight minors and a grown-up fell ill at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at the courthouse on Friday.
Yet, he denied a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was involving a young boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody before a further hearing on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, handling the case, described Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She explained his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a youth camp which he ran.
The defendant played a "treat game" with the minors, the prosecutor stated, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and tell them to consume candy "rapidly".
She stated to the judge Ruben had played this game with the boys "for many years", and children had previously become sick the next day.
She said the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had suspicions in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "In the summer" his stepchild had worries about what was going on, justifiably.
"They chose" to investigate in the individual's items."
The prosecutor said items including lubricant, petroleum jelly and syringes were found, and his stepchild notified the police about his worries.
She said Ruben proceeded to conduct the "treat game" with six children that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the next day.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that time," she continued.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, had stated that it was examining law enforcement's management of the incident.
The legal representative said the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the stepson called the police a second time.
She stated Ruben then engaged in the "sweet game" in a area of five children.
