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A man who contaminated candy with tranquilliser and distributed them to children at a youth camp in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two young males who were nine and 10.

The accused was taken into custody after eight minors and one adult became sick at the location in July.

The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the courthouse on recently.

However, he disputed a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was concerning a young boy.

The accused was kept in jail before a further hearing on late November.

'Candy game'

Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, described the defendant's actions to the court.

She said his those affected were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer camp which he operated.

The defendant engaged in a "sweet game" with the children, Mrs Prior said, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to ingest treats "as fast as possible".

She told the court the defendant had played this game with the boys "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously become sick the next day.

She stated Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had worries in July 2025.

Mrs Prior KC stated further: "This year his family member had suspicions about the situation, with valid cause.

"They resolved" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."

The prosecutor said materials including baby oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were discovered, and his stepchild contacted the authorities about his worries.

She said Ruben proceeded to play the "sweet game" with six children that evening - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the next day.

"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that stage," she stated further.

The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was examining the police response of the incident.

The legal representative explained the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the stepson notified the police again.

She stated the defendant then played the "sweet game" in a space of five children.