A man who contaminated sweets with tranquilliser and gave them to children at a summer camp in the area has confessed to sexual offenses against two young males aged between nine and ten.
The defendant was detained after eight children and one adult fell ill at Stathern Lodge in July.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at the judicial center on recently.
Yet, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was concerning a young boy.
The defendant was kept in jail ahead of a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, detailed Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She stated his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a youth camp which he managed.
The man engaged in a "treat game" with the minors, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the man had conducted this practice with the boys "over an extended period", and minors had previously fallen ill the next day.
She explained the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had concerns in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "In the summer" his stepson had concerns about the activities, justifiably.
"They chose" to examine in the individual's items."
The legal counsel explained items including infant oil, ointment and medical needles were located, and his stepson contacted the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She stated the defendant went on to play the "candy game" with six youngsters that time - that Saturday - and they were all ill the following morning.
"The police had not responded by that time," she added.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the incident.
The legal representative stated the children were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the stepson called the police again.
She said the man then conducted the "sweet game" in a room of five children.
