A person who spiked sweets with sedative and gave them to children at a youth camp in the region has admitted sexual offences against two children aged between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight youngsters and a grown-up fell ill at the facility in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
Yet, he denied one particular crime he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was remanded in custody prior to a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, outlined the defendant's actions to the court.
She said his targets were under-privileged children who were participating in a youth camp which he ran.
The defendant played a "candy game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor said, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to eat sweets "rapidly".
She told the court the man had conducted this practice with the young males "repeatedly", and children had previously fallen ill the next day.
She said the defendant had been able to explain this over a long period as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had worries in summer 2025.
The legal representative continued: "In the summer" his stepson had suspicions about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They decided to investigate in the individual's items."
The legal counsel explained items including lubricant, Vaseline and injection devices were discovered, and his family member contacted the authorities about his suspicions.
She said the man proceeded to conduct the "treat game" with six boys that night - that Saturday - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that time," she stated further.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was reviewing the police response of the situation.
The legal representative stated the minors were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson contacted the law enforcement again.
She stated Ruben then conducted the "sweet game" in a space of five minors.
