An individual who laced sweets with sleeping medication and gave them to youngsters at a summer program in the area has confessed to sexual offences against two young males both between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight youngsters and an older person experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the judicial center on Friday.
Yet, he disputed a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was kept in jail ahead of a further hearing on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, outlined Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She said his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a youth camp which he ran.
The man engaged in a "candy game" with the children, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and request they to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She told the court Ruben had conducted this practice with the young males "for many years", and children had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She stated Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had concerns in summer 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "This year his family member had concerns about what was going on, justifiably.
"They chose" to have a look in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel explained materials including infant oil, ointment and medical needles were located, and his stepchild contacted the police about his suspicions.
She explained the man continued to play the "treat game" with six boys that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the next day.
"The police had not arrived by that stage," she continued.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, previously told that it was examining law enforcement's management of the situation.
Mrs Prior explained the children were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so the family member notified the law enforcement again.
She said the defendant then played the "treat game" in a room of five minors.
