An individual who contaminated treats with sleeping medication and provided them to children at a summer camp in the region has confessed to sexual offences against two boys both nine and 10.
The defendant was arrested after eight children and one adult became sick at the facility in July.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at the judicial center on the end of the week.
However, he denied a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was remanded in custody ahead of a additional proceeding on late November.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, detailed Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She stated his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer camp which he managed.
Ruben conducted a "sweet game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior said, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and tell them to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge Ruben had conducted this practice with the children "repeatedly", and minors had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She stated the man had been able to explain this over a long period as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had suspicions in summer 2025.
The legal representative added: "This year his stepchild had concerns about the situation, for good reason.
"They chose" to examine in the individual's items."
The prosecutor explained materials including baby oil, Vaseline and syringes were found, and his stepchild alerted the law enforcement about his worries.
She explained the man proceeded to engage in the "sweet game" with six children that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"The police had not gone out by that stage," she continued.
The oversight body, the investigative body, previously told that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the situation.
The legal representative explained the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson contacted the police once more.
She said Ruben then conducted the "candy game" in a room of five children.
