An individual who laced candy with sedative and provided them to children at a summer camp in the region has admitted sexual offenses against two boys who were between nine and ten.
The defendant was arrested after eight children and an older person experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the judicial center on Friday.
Yet, he disputed a single sexual charge he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was kept in jail prior to a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, described the defendant's actions to the court.
She stated his targets were under-privileged children who were attending a youth camp which he ran.
The man engaged in a "treat game" with the minors, the prosecutor said, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to consume candy "rapidly".
She told the court Ruben had played this game with the boys "over an extended period", and children had previously become sick the following morning.
She explained the defendant had been able to explain this over a long period as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had suspicions in July 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "This year his family member had concerns about the situation, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to examine in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC explained materials including lubricant, ointment and medical needles were discovered, and his stepson alerted the police about his suspicions.
She said the man proceeded to play the "sweet game" with six youngsters that evening - July 26th - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"The police had not arrived by that time," she added.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was reviewing the police response of the incident.
Mrs Prior said the minors were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so the family member contacted the authorities once more.
She stated the man then engaged in the "sweet game" in a area of five minors.
