A person who laced treats with sedative and gave them to youngsters at a summer camp in the region has admitted sexual offenses against two young males who were nine and 10.
The accused was detained after eight children and a grown-up experienced illness at the location in July.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he was present at the judicial center on Friday.
Yet, he disputed a single sexual charge he was facing, which was against a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was kept in jail ahead of a additional proceeding on late November.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, outlined Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She explained his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer program which he ran.
The defendant engaged in a "candy game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel said, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She told the court the defendant had played this game with the young males "for many years", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She stated the defendant had been able to explain this over a long period as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had concerns in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "This year his stepson had concerns about the situation, justifiably.
"They chose" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel stated materials including lubricant, ointment and injection devices were discovered, and his family member notified the authorities about his concerns.
She stated the defendant went on to play the "candy game" with six boys that evening - that Saturday - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that point," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, had stated that it was examining law enforcement's management of the incident.
The prosecutor explained the children were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the stepson called the police a second time.
She said Ruben then played the "treat game" in a room of five youngsters.
