A man who contaminated sweets with sedative and distributed them to children at a summer camp in the region has confessed to sexual crimes against two children both nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight children and an older person fell ill at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at the judicial center on Friday.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old child.
The accused was kept in jail ahead of a further hearing on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, outlined Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She stated his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer program which he ran.
The man played a "sweet game" with the minors, the legal counsel stated, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and ask them to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She told the court the defendant had played this game with the young males "for many years", and children had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She stated Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had suspicions in July 2025.
The legal representative added: "This year his stepchild had worries about the activities, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel explained materials including lubricant, Vaseline and medical needles were located, and his stepchild alerted the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She explained Ruben proceeded to play the "sweet game" with six children that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"The police had not arrived by that stage," she continued.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was investigating the police response of the events.
Mrs Prior stated the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so the family member notified the authorities a second time.
She explained the defendant then conducted the "treat game" in a room of five children.
