A person who spiked treats with sleeping medication and distributed them to children at a summer program in the region has admitted sexual offences against two boys who were nine and 10.
The defendant was detained after eight youngsters and one adult fell ill at the facility in July.
The elderly man, 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 facing, which was against a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was held in detention ahead of a subsequent court date on late November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, detailed the criminal behavior to the court.
She stated his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a youth camp which he managed.
The defendant engaged in a "treat game" with the children, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and ask them to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the man had played this game with the children "over an extended period", and children had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She stated the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had concerns in summer 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "Recently" his stepson had worries about the activities, justifiably.
"They resolved" to have a look in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor explained items including infant oil, Vaseline and medical needles were discovered, and his stepson contacted the police about his concerns.
She stated the defendant proceeded to engage in the "sweet game" with six boys that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that point," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the events.
The prosecutor stated the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so the family member contacted the police once more.
She said the man then conducted the "candy game" in a space of five children.
