🔗 Share this article Man pleads guilty to sex offences involving young males at youth camp The accused pleaded guilty to 17 criminal counts at the judicial center on recently A man who laced candy with sleeping medication and distributed them to children at a youth camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two children both nine and 10. The defendant was detained after eight minors and an older person experienced illness at the facility in July. The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he stood at the courthouse on Friday. Yet, he denied a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was concerning a nine-year-old child. The accused was held in detention ahead of a further hearing on 28 November. 'Candy game' The legal representative, handling the case, described Ruben's offending to the judicial body. She stated his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer camp which he managed. Ruben engaged in a "sweet game" with the minors, the legal counsel stated, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to consume candy "as fast as possible". She informed the proceedings the defendant had conducted this practice with the young males "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously become sick the following morning. She said the man had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had concerns in summer 2025. The legal representative added: "This year his stepchild had concerns about the activities, justifiably. "They chose" to examine in the defendant's belongings." The prosecutor said materials including infant oil, Vaseline and syringes were located, and his stepson alerted the law enforcement about his suspicions. She explained the defendant continued to conduct the "sweet game" with six boys that time - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day. "Law enforcement" had not responded by that stage," she continued. The oversight body, the police conduct office, previously told that it was examining law enforcement's management of the situation. Mrs Prior stated the children were struggling to walk due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson called the law enforcement once more. She stated Ruben then conducted the "treat game" in a room of five minors.