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A man who laced treats with sleeping medication and gave them to youngsters at a summer program in the area has admitted sexual crimes against two children who were nine and 10.

The accused was detained after eight minors and a grown-up became sick at the location in July.

The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the courthouse on the end of the week.

Yet, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was against a nine-year-old boy.

The accused was kept in jail before a subsequent court date on late November.

'Sweet game'

The legal representative, presenting evidence, outlined the defendant's actions to the judicial body.

She explained his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer camp which he operated.

Ruben conducted a "treat game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor said, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to ingest treats "rapidly".

She stated to the judge Ruben had played this game with the young males "over an extended period", and minors had previously fallen ill the next day.

She said the man had been able to explain this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had concerns in summer 2025.

Mrs Prior KC continued: "This year his family member had worries about the activities, for good reason.

"They decided to have a look in the defendant's belongings."

The prosecutor explained objects including baby oil, ointment and injection devices were found, and his stepchild alerted the law enforcement about his suspicions.

She explained the defendant proceeded to engage in the "sweet game" with six children that night - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.

"Authorities" had not gone out by that time," she stated further.

The police watchdog, the police conduct office, had stated that it was examining the police response of the situation.

Mrs Prior stated the children were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson called the authorities a second time.

She stated the man then engaged in the "sweet game" in a room of five youngsters.