An individual who laced candy with tranquilliser and provided them to minors at a youth camp in the area has admitted sexual crimes against two young males aged nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight children and one adult fell ill at the facility in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the judicial center on recently.
Nevertheless, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old child.
The accused was held in detention prior to a subsequent court date on late November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, described Ruben's offending to the court.
She stated his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer camp which he managed.
The defendant engaged in a "treat game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior said, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She told the court Ruben had conducted this practice with the boys "over an extended period", and minors had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She said Ruben had been able to explain this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had worries in recently.
The prosecutor stated further: "This year his family member had concerns about the activities, with valid cause.
"They decided to have a look in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC stated items including infant oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were located, and his stepson contacted the police about his worries.
She said Ruben proceeded to engage in the "treat game" with six boys that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that time," she added.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, previously told that it was reviewing the police response of the incident.
The prosecutor stated the children were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the stepson called the law enforcement a second time.
She said the man then conducted the "candy game" in a area of five children.
