A person who spiked candy with sleeping medication and provided them to minors at a summer camp in the region has admitted sexual offenses against two boys aged between nine and ten.
The defendant was arrested after eight children and one adult experienced illness at the facility in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the judicial center on Friday.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was remanded in custody before a subsequent court date on late November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, detailed Ruben's offending to the court.
She stated his those affected were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer camp which he ran.
Ruben conducted a "treat game" with the children, Mrs Prior said, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge Ruben had played this game with the children "repeatedly", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She stated Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had concerns in summer 2025.
The legal representative continued: "This year his stepchild had suspicions about the situation, justifiably.
"They chose" to have a look in the individual's items."
The prosecutor stated objects including lubricant, ointment and syringes were discovered, and his family member alerted the authorities about his concerns.
She explained the defendant went on to conduct the "sweet game" with six youngsters that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that point," she continued.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, previously told that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the situation.
The prosecutor said the minors were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson contacted the authorities again.
She explained the man then played the "candy game" in a room of five children.
