A man who spiked sweets with sedative and provided them to minors at a summer program in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two boys who were nine and ten years old.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight minors and an older person experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at the judicial center on recently.
Yet, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was held in detention ahead of a further hearing on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, described Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She said his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer camp which he ran.
The man engaged in a "treat game" with the minors, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She told the court the man had engaged in this activity with the children "for many years", and children had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She stated the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had suspicions in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "In the summer" his family member had worries about the activities, justifiably.
"They resolved" to investigate in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor stated items including infant oil, Vaseline and medical needles were located, and his stepson contacted the police about his concerns.
She said the man went on to play the "sweet game" with six youngsters that evening - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"Authorities" had not responded by that point," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, previously told that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the events.
Mrs Prior stated the children were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so the stepson contacted the authorities again.
She explained the man then engaged in the "treat game" in a space of five children.
