An individual who contaminated candy with tranquilliser and provided them to minors at a youth camp in the region has confessed to sexual crimes against two boys aged nine and ten years old.
The defendant was detained after eight minors and an older person experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he stood at the judicial center on recently.
Nevertheless, he denied one particular crime he was facing, which was involving a young boy.
The accused was held in detention prior to a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, handling the case, described the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She explained his targets were under-privileged children who were attending a youth camp which he operated.
The man played a "sweet game" with the children, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had conducted this practice with the young males "for many years", and minors had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She stated the man had been able to explain this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had suspicions in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "This year his family member had suspicions about what was going on, justifiably.
"They decided to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC stated objects including baby oil, ointment and injection devices were discovered, and his family member notified the authorities about his suspicions.
She explained the man proceeded to play the "candy game" with six youngsters that evening - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"The police had not gone out by that point," she continued.
The oversight body, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was examining the police response of the situation.
The legal representative stated the children were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson notified the authorities a second time.
She stated the defendant then conducted the "sweet game" in a space of five minors.
