A man who laced sweets with sedative and provided them to children at a summer program in the area has confessed to sexual offences against two children who were between nine and ten.
The defendant was arrested after eight children and a grown-up became sick at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the judicial center on recently.
Yet, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was facing, which was against a nine-year-old child.
The accused was held in detention prior to a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, described the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She explained his targets were under-privileged children who were attending a summer camp which he operated.
Ruben played a "sweet game" with the children, the legal counsel explained, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She stated to the judge Ruben had played this game with the young males "repeatedly", and minors had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She said the defendant had been able to explain this over a long period as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had suspicions in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "This year his family member had suspicions about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They chose" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel said objects including baby oil, ointment and injection devices were discovered, and his family member contacted the police about his suspicions.
She stated the man proceeded to engage in the "candy game" with six boys that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that stage," she stated further.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the events.
The legal representative explained the children were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson notified the law enforcement once more.
She explained Ruben then engaged in the "candy game" in a space of five minors.
