A man who contaminated sweets with tranquilliser and provided them to minors at a youth camp in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two boys both nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight children and one adult became sick at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at the judicial center on Friday.
Yet, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was facing, which was involving a young boy.
The accused was remanded in custody ahead of a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, detailed the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She explained his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a youth camp which he ran.
Ruben conducted a "treat game" with the minors, the legal counsel stated, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and request they to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the man had played this game with the boys "over an extended period", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She stated Ruben had been able to explain this over a long period as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had worries in July 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "In the summer" his family member had suspicions about the situation, for good reason.
"They decided to investigate in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC explained objects including baby oil, ointment and syringes were discovered, and his stepson alerted the law enforcement about his worries.
She said the man continued to conduct the "candy game" with six youngsters that evening - July 26th - and they were all ill the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that time," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, previously told that it was reviewing the police response of the situation.
The prosecutor explained the children were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so the family member contacted the law enforcement a second time.
She explained the man then conducted the "sweet game" in a space of five children.
