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An individual who contaminated candy with sedative and provided them to minors at a summer camp in the region has admitted sexual offences against two children both between nine and ten.

The defendant was detained after eight minors and one adult became sick at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.

The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the courthouse on Friday.

However, he denied a single sexual charge he was facing, which was against a nine-year-old child.

The accused was kept in jail ahead of a further hearing on November 28th.

'Treat game'

Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, detailed Ruben's offending to the court.

She stated his those affected were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer program which he ran.

The defendant played a "sweet game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and request they to eat sweets "rapidly".

She told the court the man had conducted this practice with the boys "over an extended period", and children had previously become sick the next day.

She said the man had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had worries in July 2025.

Mrs Prior KC added: "In the summer" his stepchild had suspicions about the activities, for good reason.

"They resolved" to investigate in the man's possessions."

Mrs Prior KC stated objects including infant oil, petroleum jelly and syringes were located, and his stepchild notified the law enforcement about his worries.

She stated the man went on to conduct the "treat game" with six youngsters that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.

"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that time," she added.

The oversight body, the police conduct office, previously told that it was examining the police response of the incident.

Mrs Prior stated the children were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson contacted the authorities once more.

She stated Ruben then engaged in the "treat game" in a space of five minors.