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A man who contaminated candy with sedative and gave them to children at a youth camp in the area has admitted sexual crimes against two children both nine and 10.

The defendant was detained after eight youngsters and a grown-up became sick at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.

The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the courthouse on recently.

Nevertheless, he disputed one particular crime he was facing, which was against a nine-year-old child.

The accused was held in detention ahead of a subsequent court date on 28 November.

'Sweet game'

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

She stated his those affected were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer program which he managed.

The man engaged in a "sweet game" with the children, the legal counsel explained, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".

She informed the proceedings Ruben had played this game with the young males "repeatedly", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the following morning.

She said the defendant had been capable of justifying this for many years as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had worries in recently.

The prosecutor stated further: "This year his family member had concerns about what was going on, with valid cause.

"They decided to have a look in the individual's items."

Mrs Prior KC stated objects including baby oil, petroleum jelly and syringes were found, and his stepchild contacted the law enforcement about his suspicions.

She stated Ruben proceeded to engage in the "sweet game" with six children that evening - that Saturday - and they were all ill the following morning.

"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that time," she stated further.

The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the incident.

Mrs Prior said the children were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so the family member called the authorities again.

She explained the man then engaged in the "candy game" in a area of five youngsters.