A person who laced treats with tranquilliser and provided them to youngsters at a youth camp in the area has confessed to sexual offences against two children aged between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight minors and a grown-up fell ill at the location in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the judicial center on the end of the week.
However, he denied one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody ahead of a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, described the defendant's actions to the court.
She explained his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer camp which he ran.
The defendant engaged in a "candy game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the man had played this game with the children "repeatedly", and minors had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She said the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had suspicions in summer 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "This year his family member had worries about the activities, with valid cause.
"They chose" to investigate in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor explained materials including infant oil, Vaseline and syringes were located, and his stepson contacted the authorities about his concerns.
She said the man proceeded to conduct the "candy game" with six boys that night - that Saturday - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"The police had not gone out by that time," she added.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, previously told that it was examining law enforcement's management of the situation.
The legal representative said the minors were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so the family member notified the authorities again.
She said the defendant then played the "treat game" in a room of five children.
