A man who laced candy with sedative and provided them to youngsters at a summer camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two children both nine and 10.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight minors and a grown-up became sick at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at the courthouse on the end of the week.
However, he denied one particular crime he was charged with, which was involving a young boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody before a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, detailed Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She explained his targets were under-privileged children who were attending a youth camp which he operated.
The defendant played a "sweet game" with the minors, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were settling down and ask them to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had engaged in this activity with the children "repeatedly", and children had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She said Ruben had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had concerns in July 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "Recently" his stepchild had suspicions about the situation, justifiably.
"They chose" to have a look in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC stated items including infant oil, ointment and syringes were discovered, and his family member alerted the authorities about his worries.
She said Ruben went on to conduct the "candy game" with six youngsters that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that time," she continued.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, previously told that it was examining the police response of the incident.
The prosecutor stated the children were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson called the authorities again.
She explained the defendant then played the "candy game" in a area of five children.
