A man who contaminated sweets with sleeping medication and gave them to children at a summer camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two boys who were nine and ten years old.
The defendant was arrested after eight youngsters and an older person became sick at the location in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the judicial center on Friday.
Nevertheless, he denied a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was concerning a young boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody before a further hearing on November 28th.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, outlined Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She stated his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer camp which he managed.
The defendant played a "treat game" with the minors, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and request they to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the man had engaged in this activity with the boys "repeatedly", and children had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She said the defendant had been capable of justifying this for many years as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had worries in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "This year his stepson had concerns about what was going on, justifiably.
"They chose" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor explained objects including baby oil, petroleum jelly and syringes were found, and his family member notified the law enforcement about his concerns.
She said the man went on to conduct the "sweet game" with six children that evening - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"The police had not gone out by that time," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, had stated that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the events.
The legal representative stated the children were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson contacted the law enforcement a second time.
She stated the defendant then played the "treat game" in a room of five youngsters.
