A person who spiked sweets with sedative and distributed them to children at a summer camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two young males who were between nine and ten.
The defendant was arrested after eight children and a grown-up fell ill at the facility in the summer month.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at the courthouse on recently.
Nevertheless, he disputed one particular crime he was accused of, which was involving a young boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody before a subsequent court date on late November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, detailed Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She stated his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a summer camp which he managed.
The man played a "sweet game" with the minors, the prosecutor stated, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were settling down and tell them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She told the court Ruben had played this game with the boys "for many years", and minors had previously become sick the following morning.
She explained the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had suspicions in recently.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "This year his stepchild had worries about what was going on, justifiably.
"They resolved" to have a look in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel stated objects including infant oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were found, and his family member alerted the police about his concerns.
She stated Ruben proceeded to play the "sweet game" with six youngsters that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that time," she added.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the situation.
The prosecutor explained the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the stepson called the authorities again.
She said the man then played the "sweet game" in a space of five children.
