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An individual who contaminated candy with tranquilliser and distributed them to minors at a summer camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two boys who were between nine and ten.

The defendant was taken into custody after eight minors and an older person fell ill at the facility in July.

The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the judicial center on the end of the week.

Nevertheless, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old boy.

The defendant was remanded in custody before a further hearing on late November.

'Sweet game'

Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, detailed Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.

She explained his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer program which he ran.

The defendant engaged in a "sweet game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to eat sweets "as fast as possible".

She told the court the man had played this game with the young males "repeatedly", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the next day.

She stated Ruben had been capable of justifying this for many years as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had worries in July 2025.

Mrs Prior KC added: "This year his stepson had worries about what was going on, for good reason.

"They chose" to examine in the defendant's belongings."

The prosecutor said objects including baby oil, Vaseline and injection devices were located, and his stepson contacted the authorities about his worries.

She said Ruben continued to engage in the "treat game" with six youngsters that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the next day.

"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that stage," she added.

The oversight body, the police conduct office, previously told that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the events.

Mrs Prior explained the youngsters were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the family member contacted the police again.

She said the man then conducted the "sweet game" in a area of five youngsters.