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An individual who contaminated candy with sedative and gave them to minors at a youth camp in the region has confessed to sexual offenses against two young males both nine and 10.

The defendant was arrested after eight youngsters and a grown-up experienced illness at the facility in the summer month.

The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on recently.

However, he disputed a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was involving a young boy.

The accused was kept in jail before a subsequent court date on late November.

'Treat game'

The prosecutor, handling the case, outlined Ruben's offending to the judicial body.

She explained his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer camp which he operated.

The man conducted a "treat game" with the children, Mrs Prior said, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were settling down and request they to eat sweets "rapidly".

She stated to the judge the defendant had played this game with the children "for many years", and minors had previously fallen ill the next day.

She stated Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had suspicions in summer 2025.

Mrs Prior KC added: "This year his stepchild had concerns about the situation, justifiably.

"They chose" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."

The legal counsel said items including baby oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were located, and his family member contacted the law enforcement about his suspicions.

She said the defendant went on to engage in the "sweet game" with six youngsters that time - July 26th - and they were all ill the next day.

"The police had not gone out by that time," she added.

The oversight body, the police conduct office, previously told that it was examining law enforcement's management of the events.

Mrs Prior stated the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson called the police a second time.

She explained the defendant then conducted the "sweet game" in a space of five children.