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A man who spiked sweets with sleeping medication and provided them to minors at a youth camp in the region has confessed to sexual crimes against two young males aged between nine and ten.

The defendant was arrested after eight youngsters and one adult became sick at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.

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

However, he denied one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was involving a young boy.

The accused was kept in jail ahead of a further hearing on late November.

'Treat game'

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

She stated his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer camp which he operated.

Ruben played a "treat game" with the minors, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".

She stated to the judge Ruben had engaged in this activity with the boys "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously become sick the next day.

She stated Ruben had been able to explain this over a long period as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had worries in recently.

The legal representative stated further: "This year his family member had suspicions about the situation, for good reason.

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

Mrs Prior KC stated materials including lubricant, ointment and medical needles were found, and his family member contacted the police about his worries.

She said the man 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 gone out by that stage," she added.

The police watchdog, the police conduct office, had stated that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the events.

Mrs Prior stated the minors were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so the family member contacted the authorities once more.

She explained Ruben then engaged in the "sweet game" in a area of five minors.