An individual who laced treats with sleeping medication and distributed them to minors at a youth camp in the area has admitted sexual crimes against two boys who were between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight children and a grown-up became sick at the location in July.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the courthouse on Friday.
However, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was against a young boy.
The accused was held in detention before a further hearing on late November.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, described Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She explained his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a youth camp which he managed.
The man engaged in a "candy game" with the children, the legal counsel said, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She told the court the man had conducted this practice with the children "over an extended period", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She said the defendant had been able to explain this over a long period as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had suspicions in summer 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "This year his stepchild had worries about what was going on, for good reason.
"They resolved" to investigate in the individual's items."
The legal counsel explained objects including infant oil, ointment and injection devices were found, and his stepson contacted the law enforcement about his concerns.
She stated the man went on to conduct the "candy game" with six youngsters that time - that Saturday - and they were all ill the next day.
"Authorities" had not responded by that stage," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was reviewing the police response of the situation.
Mrs Prior stated the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the stepson called the authorities a second time.
She said Ruben then conducted the "sweet game" in a area of five children.
