An individual who laced treats with tranquilliser and distributed them to children at a youth camp in the region has confessed to sexual offences against two boys who were between nine and ten.
The accused was taken into custody after eight children and a grown-up became sick at the facility in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he stood at the courthouse on Friday.
However, he disputed one particular crime he was facing, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was remanded in custody ahead of a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, outlined the defendant's actions to the court.
She said his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a summer camp which he ran.
Ruben engaged in a "sweet game" with the minors, Mrs Prior said, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and tell them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge Ruben had engaged in this activity with the boys "repeatedly", and minors had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She said the man had been able to explain this repeatedly as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had concerns in summer 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "Recently" his stepchild had worries about the situation, for good reason.
"They decided to examine in the individual's items."
The prosecutor explained objects including baby oil, petroleum jelly and syringes were discovered, and his stepchild contacted the authorities about his suspicions.
She stated the man went on to play the "candy game" with six boys that night - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that point," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was investigating the police response of the situation.
The legal representative stated the minors were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the family member notified the authorities again.
She explained the defendant then conducted the "treat game" in a area of five youngsters.
