An individual who spiked sweets with sleeping medication and provided them to youngsters at a youth camp in the region has confessed to sexual crimes against two children aged nine and 10.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight children and one adult became sick at the location in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the courthouse on Friday.
Nevertheless, he denied a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was involving a young boy.
The defendant was kept in jail prior to a further hearing on November 28th.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, outlined the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She explained his those affected were under-privileged children who were attending a summer program which he managed.
Ruben engaged in a "sweet game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to consume candy "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had engaged in this activity with the children "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the next day.
She said Ruben had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had worries in summer 2025.
The legal representative continued: "In the summer" his stepchild had worries about the activities, with valid cause.
"They decided to examine in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor explained objects including lubricant, Vaseline and medical needles were found, and his family member notified the police about his worries.
She stated the man continued to play the "candy game" with six youngsters that time - July 26th - and they were all ill the next day.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that time," she added.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the situation.
Mrs Prior said the children were struggling to walk due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson notified the police a second time.
She said Ruben then engaged in the "treat game" in a room of five children.
