A man who laced sweets with sleeping medication and provided them to youngsters at a youth camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two boys who were nine and ten years old.
The accused was detained after eight minors and an older person fell ill at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at the judicial center on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he denied a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was involving a young boy.
The defendant was kept in jail ahead of a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, detailed Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She stated his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer camp which he managed.
Ruben conducted a "candy game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior said, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had played this game with the young males "for many years", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the next day.
She stated Ruben had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had concerns in summer 2025.
The legal representative continued: "Recently" his family member had worries about what was going on, for good reason.
"They decided to investigate in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC said materials including infant oil, Vaseline and injection devices were found, and his stepchild alerted the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She said the man continued to engage in the "candy game" with six children that night - that Saturday - and they were all ill the next day.
"The police had not responded by that stage," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, had stated that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the situation.
Mrs Prior said the children were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the stepson called the police again.
She stated the defendant then engaged in the "treat game" in a room of five youngsters.
