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A person who contaminated sweets with tranquilliser and distributed them to minors at a summer camp in the area has confessed to sexual offences against two young males aged between nine and ten.

The defendant was taken into custody after eight children and an older person fell ill at Stathern Lodge in July.

The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.

Yet, he denied a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old boy.

The accused was held in detention before a additional proceeding on 28 November.

'Treat game'

The prosecutor, prosecuting, described the defendant's actions to the judicial body.

She said his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a summer program which he managed.

Ruben conducted a "sweet game" with the children, the legal counsel stated, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to consume candy "as fast as possible".

She stated to the judge Ruben had engaged in this activity with the boys "for many years", and minors had previously become sick the following morning.

She said Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had suspicions in summer 2025.

The legal representative stated further: "In the summer" his family member had concerns about the activities, with valid cause.

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

The legal counsel said materials including infant oil, petroleum jelly and syringes were found, and his stepson notified the police about his concerns.

She stated the man proceeded to play the "sweet game" with six boys that night - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the next day.

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

The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the events.

The legal representative explained the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the family member contacted the law enforcement again.

She explained the man then played the "sweet game" in a room of five minors.