A man who laced treats with sedative and distributed them to youngsters at a summer program in the area has confessed to sexual offences against two young males both nine and ten years old.
The accused was taken into custody after eight youngsters and a grown-up became sick at the location in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the courthouse on recently.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was kept in jail before a further hearing on November 28th.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, outlined the criminal behavior to the court.
She explained his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer camp which he managed.
The defendant engaged in a "sweet game" with the children, the legal counsel said, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and request they to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She told the court the man had conducted this practice with the children "for many years", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She explained the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had concerns in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "This year his family member had suspicions about the situation, for good reason.
"They resolved" to investigate in the individual's items."
The prosecutor explained items including lubricant, Vaseline and medical needles were found, and his family member contacted the police about his concerns.
She explained the defendant proceeded to engage in the "sweet game" with six children that evening - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that stage," she continued.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the situation.
The legal representative explained the minors were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the family member called the police again.
She stated Ruben then engaged in the "candy game" in a room of five minors.
