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A person who laced candy with sedative and gave them to minors at a youth camp in the region has admitted sexual crimes against two children both nine and ten years old.

Jon Ruben was detained after eight children and an older person experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.

The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he stood at the courthouse on Friday.

However, he denied one particular crime he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.

Ruben was remanded in custody ahead of a subsequent court date on 28 November.

'Sweet game'

Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, described Ruben's offending to the court.

She stated his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a summer program which he ran.

The defendant engaged in a "candy game" with the minors, the legal counsel explained, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to consume candy "rapidly".

She informed the proceedings the man had played this game with the young males "for many years", and minors had previously fallen ill the next day.

She explained the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had suspicions in summer 2025.

The prosecutor continued: "This year his family member had concerns about the activities, with valid cause.

"They resolved" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."

The legal counsel stated materials including baby oil, ointment and syringes were found, and his stepchild alerted the authorities about his worries.

She said the man went on to play the "treat game" with six boys that evening - that Saturday - and they were all ill the next day.

"The police had not arrived by that stage," she added.

The oversight body, the investigative body, had stated that it was examining law enforcement's management of the events.

Mrs Prior stated the minors were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so the stepson called the police once more.

She explained the defendant then engaged in the "sweet game" in a space of five children.