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An individual who contaminated sweets with tranquilliser and provided them to youngsters at a summer camp in the area has admitted sexual offenses against two young males who were nine and ten years old.

The defendant was detained after eight minors and an older person fell ill at the facility in mid-summer.

The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the judicial center on Friday.

However, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.

The defendant was kept in jail before a additional proceeding on late November.

'Sweet game'

Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, described Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.

She stated his victims were under-privileged children who were attending a summer camp which he managed.

The man engaged in a "treat game" with the children, the prosecutor stated, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to ingest treats "as fast as possible".

She stated to the judge Ruben had conducted this practice with the children "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously become sick the next day.

She said Ruben had been able to explain this over a long period as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had suspicions in summer 2025.

Mrs Prior KC continued: "In the summer" his stepson had worries about the activities, for good reason.

"They resolved" to examine in the defendant's belongings."

The prosecutor said items including baby oil, petroleum jelly and injection devices were discovered, and his stepson notified the authorities about his suspicions.

She stated the man continued to engage in the "sweet game" with six boys that night - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the next day.

"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that point," she continued.

The police watchdog, the investigative body, had stated that it was investigating the police response of the incident.

Mrs Prior stated the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so the stepson contacted the police a second time.

She explained the man then conducted the "treat game" in a area of five children.