A person who spiked sweets with sleeping medication and provided them to minors at a youth camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two young males aged nine and 10.
The accused was arrested after eight minors and an older person fell ill at the location in July.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the judicial center on recently.
Nevertheless, he denied one particular crime he was facing, which was concerning a young boy.
The accused was remanded in custody prior to a further hearing on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, detailed Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She stated his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a summer program which he ran.
The man played a "candy game" with the minors, the legal counsel explained, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and request they to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She told the court the defendant had conducted this practice with the boys "repeatedly", and children had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She explained the man had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had suspicions in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "In the summer" his stepchild had suspicions about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to have a look in the individual's items."
The prosecutor explained objects including baby oil, ointment and syringes were located, and his stepchild notified the police about his concerns.
She said the man went on to engage in the "sweet game" with six boys that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that stage," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, previously told that it was investigating the police response of the events.
The prosecutor explained the minors were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so the family member called the law enforcement a second time.
She explained Ruben then conducted the "sweet game" in a room of five children.
