An individual who laced sweets with sedative and distributed them to children at a youth camp in the area has confessed to sexual offenses against two children aged nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight minors and a grown-up became sick at the location in July.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the courthouse on recently.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was held in detention prior to a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, outlined the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She said his targets were under-privileged children who were staying at a youth camp which he ran.
Ruben played a "treat game" with the minors, the legal counsel said, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge Ruben had played this game with the children "repeatedly", and minors had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She said the defendant had been able to explain this repeatedly as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had concerns in recently.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "Recently" his stepson had suspicions about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They decided to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel stated objects including infant oil, petroleum jelly and syringes were found, and his stepchild contacted the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She explained Ruben continued to play the "treat game" with six children that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the next day.
"The police had not responded by that time," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, previously told that it was investigating the police response of the incident.
The legal representative said the minors were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so the stepson notified the police once more.
She stated Ruben then engaged in the "sweet game" in a space of five minors.
