A person who laced candy with sedative and distributed them to children at a summer camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two young males aged nine and 10.
The accused was taken into custody after eight children and a grown-up fell ill at the location in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he was present at the courthouse on recently.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit one particular crime he was accused of, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was held in detention ahead of a subsequent court date on late November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, detailed Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She explained his victims were under-privileged children who were staying at a youth camp which he operated.
The man engaged in a "sweet game" with the minors, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She told the court Ruben had conducted this practice with the young males "repeatedly", and minors had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She said the defendant had been able to explain this over a long period as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had concerns in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "In the summer" his family member had concerns about the activities, with valid cause.
"They decided to examine in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC stated materials including infant oil, Vaseline and medical needles were located, and his stepchild contacted the police about his suspicions.
She stated the defendant continued to engage in the "candy game" with six boys that evening - that Saturday - and they were all sick the following morning.
"The police had not responded by that stage," she added.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was examining the police response of the events.
The prosecutor stated the minors were struggling to walk due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson called the law enforcement a second time.
She explained the defendant then played the "candy game" in a room of five children.
