An individual who contaminated treats with tranquilliser and gave them to minors at a summer program in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two boys both between nine and ten.
The accused was arrested after eight minors and a grown-up experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in July.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the courthouse on the end of the week.
However, he denied a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was kept in jail prior to a further hearing on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, detailed the defendant's actions to the court.
She explained his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a youth camp which he ran.
The man conducted a "treat game" with the children, the prosecutor said, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had conducted this practice with the children "for many years", and children had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She explained Ruben had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had worries in summer 2025.
The prosecutor added: "In the summer" his stepson had concerns about the situation, justifiably.
"They chose" to examine in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC explained materials including infant oil, ointment and injection devices were found, and his family member notified the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She said the defendant proceeded to play the "sweet game" with six children that time - July 26th - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"The police had not arrived by that stage," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, previously told that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the incident.
The legal representative explained the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the family member notified the law enforcement a second time.
She stated the defendant then conducted the "candy game" in a room of five minors.
