An individual who spiked treats with sedative and distributed them to youngsters at a youth camp in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two boys both nine and ten years old.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight children and an older person fell ill at the facility in July.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he stood at the courthouse on Friday.
However, he denied a single sexual charge he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was kept in jail ahead of a further hearing on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, detailed the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She explained his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer program which he managed.
The defendant engaged in a "sweet game" with the children, the legal counsel explained, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and ask them to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings the man had engaged in this activity with the boys "repeatedly", and children had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She stated the defendant had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had worries in summer 2025.
The legal representative added: "Recently" his stepson had worries about the situation, with valid cause.
"They decided to investigate in the individual's items."
The prosecutor said materials including lubricant, ointment and medical needles were discovered, and his stepchild contacted the law enforcement about his concerns.
She explained the defendant proceeded to conduct the "sweet game" with six boys that night - that Saturday - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"The police had not arrived by that stage," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, previously told that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the incident.
Mrs Prior stated the minors were struggling to walk due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson called the authorities again.
She explained Ruben then engaged in the "treat game" in a space of five youngsters.
