A man who contaminated treats with tranquilliser and provided them to children at a youth camp in the area has admitted sexual crimes against two young males both between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight children and one adult fell ill at the location in July.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he stood at the judicial center on Friday.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was facing, which was concerning a young boy.
Ruben was kept in jail prior to a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, detailed Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She explained his victims were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer program which he ran.
Ruben played a "sweet game" with the minors, Mrs Prior said, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and request they to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the defendant had conducted this practice with the young males "over an extended period", and minors had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She said Ruben had been able to explain this over a long period as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had worries in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "In the summer" his family member had concerns about what was going on, for good reason.
"They chose" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC explained objects including lubricant, ointment and injection devices were located, and his stepson contacted the authorities about his worries.
She stated Ruben proceeded to play the "treat game" with six children that time - that Saturday - and they were all sick the next day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that stage," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, had stated that it was examining the police response of the situation.
The prosecutor said the children were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so the stepson notified the police again.
She explained Ruben then conducted the "sweet game" in a room of five children.
