An individual who contaminated candy with sleeping medication and gave them to children at a summer program in the area has admitted sexual crimes against two boys aged between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight children and one adult experienced illness at the facility in July.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the courthouse on Friday.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was kept in jail prior to a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, detailed the defendant's actions to the court.
She said his targets were under-privileged children who were staying at a youth camp which he operated.
The defendant conducted a "candy game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor stated, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to consume candy "rapidly".
She stated to the judge the defendant had conducted this practice with the boys "for many years", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She stated the man had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had suspicions in summer 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "This year his stepson had worries about what was going on, justifiably.
"They resolved" to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor explained items including lubricant, ointment and syringes were located, and his stepchild alerted the authorities about his suspicions.
She stated the defendant went on to play the "treat game" with six boys that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the next day.
"Authorities" had not responded by that point," she stated further.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was reviewing the police response of the events.
The prosecutor said the children were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so the stepson contacted the law enforcement once more.
She said Ruben then played the "treat game" in a space of five youngsters.
