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A person who laced sweets with sedative and distributed them to youngsters at a summer camp in the area has confessed to sexual offences against two children who were nine and 10.

The defendant was arrested after eight minors and an older person fell ill at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.

The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he stood at the judicial center on Friday.

Nevertheless, he denied one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was involving a young boy.

The accused was remanded in custody ahead of a additional proceeding on 28 November.

'Sweet game'

The legal representative, prosecuting, detailed the criminal behavior to the court.

She explained his victims were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer program which he managed.

The defendant conducted a "sweet game" with the minors, Mrs Prior said, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and request they to eat sweets "as fast as possible".

She informed the proceedings Ruben had engaged in this activity with the young males "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously become sick the next day.

She said the man had been able to explain this over a long period as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had suspicions in July 2025.

Mrs Prior KC added: "In the summer" his family member had concerns about the situation, with valid cause.

"They chose" to investigate in the individual's items."

The prosecutor said items including baby oil, Vaseline and syringes were located, and his family member notified the law enforcement about his worries.

She stated the defendant proceeded to engage in the "sweet game" with six boys that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the following morning.

"The police had not responded by that time," she continued.

The oversight body, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the situation.

Mrs Prior said the children were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the family member called the authorities a second time.

She said the defendant then played the "sweet game" in a room of five youngsters.