A man who contaminated sweets with tranquilliser and gave them to youngsters at a youth camp in the region has confessed to sexual offences against two boys both nine and ten years old.
The accused was detained after eight children and one adult became sick at the facility in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the courthouse on recently.
However, he denied one particular crime he was accused of, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was kept in jail prior to a further hearing on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, handling the case, outlined the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She said his those affected were under-privileged children who were attending a youth camp which he operated.
The defendant engaged in a "sweet game" with the minors, the legal counsel stated, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were settling down and ask them to consume candy "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings the man had engaged in this activity with the children "repeatedly", and children had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She stated the man had been able to explain this repeatedly as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had suspicions in July 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "Recently" his stepson had worries about the activities, justifiably.
"They decided to have a look in the individual's items."
The prosecutor stated materials including lubricant, Vaseline and medical needles were located, and his stepson notified the police about his concerns.
She said Ruben went on to play the "candy game" with six children that evening - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that stage," she continued.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, previously told that it was examining law enforcement's management of the situation.
The prosecutor said the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so the family member called the authorities again.
She stated the defendant then conducted the "sweet game" in a space of five minors.
