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A person who laced treats with tranquilliser and distributed them to minors at a summer camp in the region has confessed to sexual offences against two young males who were between nine and ten.

The defendant was detained after eight youngsters and a grown-up became sick at the facility in the summer month.

The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he was present at the courthouse on the end of the week.

Yet, he disputed one particular crime he was facing, which was concerning a young boy.

The accused was held in detention before a further hearing on 28 November.

'Sweet game'

The legal representative, handling the case, described Ruben's offending to the judicial body.

She said his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a youth camp which he managed.

Ruben engaged in a "candy game" with the minors, Mrs Prior said, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and request they to eat sweets "as fast as possible".

She stated to the judge Ruben had engaged in this activity with the children "over an extended period", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the next day.

She stated the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had suspicions in summer 2025.

Mrs Prior KC added: "Recently" his stepson had worries about the activities, for good reason.

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

The prosecutor explained materials including infant oil, ointment and syringes were discovered, and his stepson alerted the authorities about his worries.

She explained the man continued to conduct the "sweet game" with six boys that evening - July 26th - and they were all sick the subsequent day.

"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that time," she added.

The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, previously told that it was examining law enforcement's management of the incident.

The legal representative stated the children were struggling to walk due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson notified the police a second time.

She stated Ruben then engaged in the "treat game" in a area of five minors.