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An individual who laced sweets with tranquilliser and gave them to minors at a summer camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two boys both between nine and ten.

The accused was arrested after eight youngsters and one adult fell ill at the facility in July.

The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the courthouse on the end of the week.

Nevertheless, he denied one particular crime he was accused of, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.

Ruben was remanded in custody prior to a subsequent court date on 28 November.

'Candy game'

The prosecutor, handling the case, detailed Ruben's offending to the judicial body.

She said his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer camp which he operated.

Ruben engaged in a "sweet game" with the minors, the prosecutor said, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were settling down and ask them to ingest treats "rapidly".

She informed the proceedings Ruben had conducted this practice with the boys "for many years", and children had previously become sick the following morning.

She said the defendant had been capable of justifying this for many years as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had worries in July 2025.

The legal representative stated further: "This year his stepson had suspicions about the activities, justifiably.

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

The legal counsel stated objects including lubricant, ointment and syringes were discovered, and his stepson alerted the authorities about his worries.

She stated the defendant continued to engage in the "candy game" with six boys that night - that Saturday - and they were all ill the next day.

"The police had not gone out by that stage," she continued.

The police watchdog, the investigative body, had stated that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.

The legal representative said the children were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so the family member notified the law enforcement a second time.

She explained the man then played the "candy game" in a space of five youngsters.