A man who laced candy with tranquilliser and provided them to children at a summer program in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two young males both nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight minors and one adult became sick at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he was present at the judicial center on recently.
Yet, he refused to admit one particular crime he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was held in detention prior to a additional proceeding on late November.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, outlined Ruben's offending to the court.
She stated his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer camp which he operated.
Ruben conducted a "candy game" with the minors, the legal counsel said, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and request they to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had conducted this practice with the young males "over an extended period", and children had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She stated Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had concerns in July 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "This year his stepchild had concerns about the activities, justifiably.
"They chose" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel said objects including baby oil, petroleum jelly and syringes were found, and his stepson alerted the law enforcement about his concerns.
She stated Ruben continued to engage in the "treat game" with six children that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the following morning.
"Authorities" had not responded by that stage," she stated further.
The oversight body, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was reviewing the police response of the situation.
Mrs Prior explained the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the stepson contacted the law enforcement again.
She stated the defendant then engaged in the "sweet game" in a room of five youngsters.
