A man who contaminated treats with sleeping medication and gave them to youngsters at a youth camp in the region has confessed to sexual offences against two young males who were nine and ten years old.
The accused was detained after eight children and one adult experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the courthouse on Friday.
Nevertheless, he disputed one particular crime he was facing, which was concerning a young boy.
The accused was kept in jail ahead of a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, handling the case, described Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She stated his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a youth camp which he ran.
The defendant engaged in a "treat game" with the children, the legal counsel stated, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings the man had played this game with the boys "repeatedly", and children had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She stated the man had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had worries in July 2025.
The prosecutor added: "In the summer" his stepchild had worries about the situation, for good reason.
"They decided to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor explained materials including baby oil, ointment and medical needles were found, and his stepchild alerted the police about his worries.
She said the man proceeded to engage in the "treat game" with six children that evening - that Saturday - and they were all ill the following morning.
"The police had not arrived by that stage," she added.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the events.
The legal representative stated the children were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson contacted the law enforcement a second time.
She explained the defendant then engaged in the "sweet game" in a area of five minors.
