An individual who spiked candy with sleeping medication and distributed them to children at a youth camp in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two boys aged nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight children and one adult became sick at the facility in July.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he stood at the courthouse on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he denied one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was remanded in custody before a further hearing on November 28th.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, outlined Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She explained his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a youth camp which he managed.
The defendant engaged in a "candy game" with the children, the prosecutor said, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge Ruben had conducted this practice with the boys "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She said the man had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had worries in recently.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "In the summer" his stepson had suspicions about the activities, for good reason.
"They resolved" to investigate in the individual's items."
The legal counsel stated objects including baby oil, petroleum jelly and syringes were discovered, and his stepchild alerted the police about his concerns.
She stated the man continued to conduct the "candy game" with six children that time - July 26th - and they were all ill the following morning.
"The police had not arrived by that stage," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was investigating the police response of the incident.
The prosecutor explained the children were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the family member called the authorities once more.
She explained the defendant then conducted the "sweet game" in a room of five youngsters.
