An individual who laced candy with tranquilliser and gave them to minors at a youth camp in the region has confessed to sexual offenses against two young males aged nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight minors and one adult experienced illness at the location in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he was present at the courthouse on Friday.
However, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was kept in jail ahead of a further hearing on November 28th.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, outlined the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She explained his those affected were under-privileged children who were attending a summer program which he managed.
Ruben engaged in a "treat game" with the minors, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and request they to consume candy "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had played this game with the children "over an extended period", and children had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She said Ruben had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had worries in recently.
The prosecutor added: "This year his stepchild had concerns about the situation, justifiably.
"They decided to examine in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel said objects including lubricant, Vaseline and medical needles were located, and his family member alerted the police about his concerns.
She stated the defendant continued to engage in the "treat game" with six children that night - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that stage," she continued.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was examining the police response of the incident.
The legal representative stated the minors were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so the family member notified the authorities a second time.
She stated the man then conducted the "sweet game" in a area of five youngsters.
