An individual who laced sweets with sedative and provided them to children at a summer program in the region has admitted sexual crimes against two young males both between nine and ten.
The accused was taken into custody after eight children and an older person experienced illness at the facility in July.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at the courthouse on Friday.
Yet, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old child.
The accused was remanded in custody before a subsequent court date on late November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, outlined the criminal behavior to the court.
She explained his targets were under-privileged children who were participating in a youth camp which he managed.
The defendant played a "candy game" with the children, the prosecutor explained, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to eat sweets "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had conducted this practice with the young males "repeatedly", and minors had previously fallen ill the next day.
She explained the defendant had been able to explain this repeatedly as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had concerns in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "In the summer" his stepson had worries about the activities, for good reason.
"They resolved" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor said objects including infant oil, Vaseline and medical needles were found, and his stepson alerted the authorities about his worries.
She said the defendant went on to play the "sweet game" with six youngsters that time - that Saturday - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"The police had not responded by that time," she continued.
The oversight body, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was examining law enforcement's management of the situation.
The legal representative stated the minors were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson called the authorities again.
She explained Ruben then played the "treat game" in a area of five youngsters.
