A person who laced treats with sleeping medication and gave them to youngsters at a youth camp in the area has confessed to sexual offences against two young males both between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight children and one adult experienced illness at the location in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at the courthouse on Friday.
Nevertheless, he denied a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was remanded in custody ahead of a further hearing on late November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, described the defendant's actions to the court.
She said his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a youth camp which he operated.
The man played a "candy game" with the children, the prosecutor said, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had played this game with the children "repeatedly", and children had previously become sick the following morning.
She stated the defendant had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had suspicions in July 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "In the summer" his family member had worries about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They chose" to examine in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor explained items including baby oil, Vaseline and syringes were discovered, and his stepchild notified the authorities about his suspicions.
She explained Ruben proceeded to engage in the "candy game" with six children that time - July 26th - and they were all ill the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that point," she added.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, previously told that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the events.
Mrs Prior said the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so the family member contacted the law enforcement once more.
She stated Ruben then engaged in the "candy game" in a area of five youngsters.
