A person who laced sweets with sleeping medication and distributed them to children at a summer program in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two boys who were nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight minors and an older person became sick at the location in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at the judicial center on recently.
However, he denied a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was remanded in custody ahead of a further hearing on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, handling the case, outlined the criminal behavior to the court.
She stated his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a summer program which he ran.
The man engaged in a "candy game" with the minors, the legal counsel explained, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She told the court the defendant had played this game with the boys "repeatedly", and minors had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She explained the man had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had suspicions in recently.
The legal representative continued: "This year his family member had concerns about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to have a look in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel said materials including infant oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were found, and his stepchild contacted the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She said Ruben went on to play the "treat game" with six youngsters that evening - that Saturday - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that stage," she added.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the situation.
The legal representative said the children were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the family member called the law enforcement once more.
She stated the defendant then engaged in the "treat game" in a room of five children.
