A man who spiked candy with tranquilliser and gave them to minors at a summer camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two boys aged nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight children and an older person became sick at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at the courthouse on recently.
Yet, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was against a young boy.
Ruben was held in detention ahead of a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, handling the case, outlined Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She said his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a youth camp which he managed.
The defendant played a "sweet game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor stated, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and request they to consume candy "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had conducted this practice with the young males "over an extended period", and children had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She explained Ruben had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had worries in July 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "Recently" his stepson had worries about the activities, justifiably.
"They resolved" to investigate in the individual's items."
The legal counsel explained materials including baby oil, petroleum jelly and injection devices were discovered, and his family member contacted the police about his suspicions.
She said the man went on to conduct the "sweet game" with six youngsters that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the next day.
"Authorities" had not responded by that stage," she continued.
The oversight body, the investigative body, had stated that it was examining law enforcement's management of the incident.
The prosecutor explained the children were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the stepson contacted the law enforcement once more.
She said Ruben then conducted the "treat game" in a space of five children.
