A man who spiked treats with sedative and distributed them to children at a summer camp in the area has confessed to sexual offences against two boys both between nine and ten.
The accused was taken into custody after eight youngsters and an older person fell ill at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at the courthouse on recently.
Nevertheless, he denied one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was kept in jail prior to a further hearing on November 28th.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, described Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She said his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a youth camp which he ran.
The defendant played a "sweet game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior said, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge Ruben had conducted this practice with the boys "for many years", and minors had previously become sick the next day.
She stated Ruben had been able to explain this for many years as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had concerns in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "This year his stepson had suspicions about what was going on, justifiably.
"They resolved" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel stated items including baby oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were found, and his stepson notified the authorities about his suspicions.
She said Ruben continued to conduct the "candy game" with six youngsters that evening - that Saturday - and they were all sick the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that time," she continued.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, previously told that it was examining law enforcement's management of the events.
The prosecutor stated the children were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the stepson notified the police a second time.
She stated the man then played the "candy game" in a area of five children.
