A person who laced candy with sedative and gave them to minors at a summer camp in the region has admitted sexual offenses against two young males who were nine and 10.
The defendant was arrested after eight children and a grown-up became sick at the location in July.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the judicial center on the end of the week.
Yet, he disputed one particular crime he was facing, which was against a young boy.
Ruben was kept in jail ahead of a further hearing on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, detailed Ruben's offending to the court.
She stated his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer camp which he operated.
The man engaged in a "treat game" with the children, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge the man had engaged in this activity with the young males "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She said Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had concerns in July 2025.
The prosecutor added: "This year his stepchild had concerns about the situation, justifiably.
"They resolved" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel said objects including baby oil, ointment and syringes were discovered, and his stepson notified the law enforcement about his worries.
She explained Ruben proceeded to conduct the "candy game" with six boys that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the following morning.
"The police had not gone out by that point," she continued.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, had stated that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the events.
Mrs Prior stated the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson notified the police again.
She stated Ruben then conducted the "sweet game" in a room of five youngsters.
