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A man who contaminated sweets with tranquilliser and provided them to children at a summer program in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two children who were between nine and ten.

The accused was detained after eight youngsters and a grown-up became sick at the facility in mid-summer.

The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at the judicial center on the end of the week.

Nevertheless, he denied one particular crime he was facing, which was involving a young boy.

Ruben was remanded in custody before a further hearing on November 28th.

'Treat game'

The prosecutor, prosecuting, described Ruben's offending to the court.

She said his targets were under-privileged children who were attending a youth camp which he ran.

Ruben engaged in a "candy game" with the children, the prosecutor stated, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".

She stated to the judge the man had conducted this practice with the children "for many years", and minors had previously fallen ill the next day.

She stated the man had been able to explain this over a long period as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had concerns in summer 2025.

The prosecutor continued: "In the summer" his stepchild had worries about the activities, justifiably.

"They chose" to examine in the defendant's belongings."

The prosecutor explained items including infant oil, petroleum jelly and injection devices were located, and his family member contacted the police about his concerns.

She said the man proceeded to engage in the "sweet game" with six boys that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the subsequent day.

"The police had not responded by that stage," she stated further.

The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the incident.

The legal representative said the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson called the authorities a second time.

She said the defendant then conducted the "candy game" in a room of five youngsters.