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An individual who contaminated sweets with tranquilliser and gave them to minors at a youth camp in the area has admitted sexual offenses against two young males who were nine and ten years old.

The defendant was detained after eight youngsters and a grown-up experienced illness at the location in the summer month.

The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the courthouse on recently.

Yet, he disputed a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old child.

The accused was remanded in custody before a additional proceeding on November 28th.

'Candy game'

Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, outlined the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.

She explained his those affected were under-privileged children who were attending a summer camp which he ran.

The defendant played a "sweet game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor explained, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and request they to eat sweets "rapidly".

She informed the proceedings Ruben had conducted this practice with the boys "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the following morning.

She said the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had worries in summer 2025.

The prosecutor added: "Recently" his stepchild had worries about the situation, for good reason.

"They decided to have a look in the man's possessions."

The prosecutor said items including lubricant, Vaseline and syringes were found, and his family member contacted the authorities about his concerns.

She said Ruben continued to play the "treat game" with six youngsters that evening - that Saturday - and they were all sick the next day.

"Authorities" had not responded by that stage," she stated further.

The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the incident.

The prosecutor said the minors were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so the family member called the police a second time.

She said Ruben then played the "treat game" in a space of five children.