A person who laced candy with sedative and gave them to minors at a youth camp in the region has confessed to sexual offences against two boys aged nine and ten years old.
The defendant was detained after eight youngsters and one adult fell ill at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he was present at the judicial center on the end of the week.
Yet, he denied one particular crime he was charged with, which was involving a young boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody before a further hearing on late November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, outlined the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She stated his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a summer camp which he operated.
The man played a "treat game" with the minors, the prosecutor stated, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and ask them to eat sweets "rapidly".
She told the court the defendant had played this game with the children "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She explained the man had been able to explain this repeatedly as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had worries in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "In the summer" his stepson had worries about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They decided to examine in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel said objects including baby oil, ointment and syringes were found, and his stepson alerted the authorities about his worries.
She stated the defendant proceeded to conduct the "sweet game" with six children that time - that Saturday - and they were all ill the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that stage," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was examining law enforcement's management of the events.
The prosecutor explained the children were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson notified the police a second time.
She explained the defendant then played the "candy game" in a area of five minors.
