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A person who contaminated treats with sedative and gave them to minors at a summer camp in the region has admitted sexual offenses against two children aged nine and ten years old.

Jon Ruben was detained after eight minors and a grown-up fell ill at Stathern Lodge in July.

The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he stood at the judicial center on recently.

Nevertheless, he disputed one particular crime he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old child.

The accused was kept in jail prior to a subsequent court date on late November.

'Candy game'

Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, detailed the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.

She said his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer camp which he operated.

The defendant conducted a "sweet game" with the children, the legal counsel explained, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and tell them to consume candy "as fast as possible".

She informed the proceedings Ruben had engaged in this activity with the young males "for many years", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the next day.

She explained the defendant had been capable of justifying this for many years as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had suspicions in July 2025.

Mrs Prior KC continued: "In the summer" his stepchild had worries about the situation, with valid cause.

"They decided to have a look in the defendant's belongings."

The prosecutor said materials including infant oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were discovered, and his stepchild contacted the police about his concerns.

She explained the defendant continued to play the "sweet game" with six children that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.

"Authorities" had not gone out by that time," she stated further.

The police watchdog, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the situation.

The prosecutor said the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so the stepson notified the law enforcement a second time.

She said the defendant then conducted the "treat game" in a area of five minors.