A person who laced sweets with sleeping medication and provided them to youngsters at a youth camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two boys both nine and ten years old.
The defendant was arrested after eight youngsters and an older person experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the courthouse on recently.
However, he disputed one particular crime he was facing, which was concerning a young boy.
Ruben was kept in jail before a further hearing on November 28th.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, described the defendant's actions to the court.
She stated his targets were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer program which he managed.
The man conducted a "treat game" with the minors, the prosecutor explained, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She told the court the man had engaged in this activity with the young males "repeatedly", and minors had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She explained the man had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had suspicions in July 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "In the summer" his family member had concerns about the activities, for good reason.
"They chose" to examine in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel said materials including infant oil, Vaseline and syringes were discovered, and his stepson contacted the authorities about his concerns.
She said the defendant proceeded to play the "treat game" with six boys that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that point," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the incident.
The prosecutor stated the minors were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson contacted the police again.
She stated the defendant then engaged in the "sweet game" in a area of five youngsters.
