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An individual who spiked treats with tranquilliser and gave them to youngsters at a summer program in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two children both nine and ten years old.

The accused was arrested after eight minors and one adult fell ill at the location in the summer month.

The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the judicial center on Friday.

However, he denied one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was involving a nine-year-old child.

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

'Sweet game'

Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, outlined the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.

She stated his targets were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer program which he ran.

The defendant played a "sweet game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were settling down and ask them to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".

She stated to the judge the man had conducted this practice with the young males "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously become sick the subsequent day.

She explained the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had concerns in July 2025.

The legal representative stated further: "This year his family member had suspicions about the activities, justifiably.

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

The legal counsel explained objects including baby oil, Vaseline and syringes were found, and his family member alerted the police about his concerns.

She said the defendant went on to play the "candy game" with six boys that evening - that Saturday - and they were all sick the next day.

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

The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the events.

The legal representative stated the children were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the stepson notified the law enforcement a second time.

She said Ruben then played the "candy game" in a space of five children.