An individual who laced sweets with sedative and distributed them to children at a summer camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two young males both nine and ten years old.
The defendant was arrested after eight youngsters and a grown-up fell ill at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he was present at the courthouse on Friday.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was facing, which was involving a young boy.
The accused was kept in jail ahead of a further hearing on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, described the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She said his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a summer program which he ran.
The man conducted a "candy game" with the children, the legal counsel said, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and request they to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge Ruben had engaged in this activity with the boys "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the next day.
She said the man had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had suspicions in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "In the summer" his stepson had concerns about the situation, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to examine in the individual's items."
The prosecutor stated materials including lubricant, petroleum jelly and syringes were discovered, and his stepchild alerted the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She said the defendant went on to engage in the "candy game" with six youngsters that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that point," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, previously told that it was examining the police response of the incident.
The legal representative explained the children were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so the family member notified the authorities once more.
She stated the man then conducted the "treat game" in a room of five minors.
