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A man who contaminated candy with tranquilliser and provided them to youngsters at a summer program in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two children both nine and 10.

The accused was arrested after eight youngsters and an older person became sick at the facility in July.

The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the judicial center on recently.

Yet, he denied one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.

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

'Candy game'

The legal representative, prosecuting, outlined Ruben's offending to the judicial body.

She stated his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer camp which he operated.

The man conducted a "candy game" with the children, the prosecutor explained, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and request they to eat sweets "as fast as possible".

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

She explained the man had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had concerns in July 2025.

The legal representative continued: "In the summer" his stepchild had worries about the situation, justifiably.

"They decided to examine in the individual's items."

Mrs Prior KC said objects including lubricant, petroleum jelly and injection devices were found, and his stepson alerted the law enforcement about his suspicions.

She explained the defendant went on to engage in the "treat game" with six boys that night - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.

"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that point," she stated further.

The regulatory agency, the investigative body, previously told that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the situation.

The legal representative explained the children were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so the family member called the authorities again.

She said the man then engaged in the "treat game" in a area of five youngsters.