An individual who laced sweets with sedative and provided them to youngsters at a summer camp in the region has confessed to sexual offenses against two young males both nine and 10.
The accused was taken into custody after eight youngsters and one adult became sick at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the courthouse on Friday.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was remanded in custody prior to a additional proceeding on late November.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, detailed the defendant's actions to the court.
She stated his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer program which he ran.
Ruben engaged in a "treat game" with the minors, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to consume candy "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had conducted this practice with the children "for many years", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She said the man had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had worries in July 2025.
The legal representative added: "This year his family member had worries about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They chose" to investigate in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel stated objects including lubricant, Vaseline and injection devices were located, and his family member alerted the police about his worries.
She explained the defendant went on to engage in the "candy game" with six youngsters that night - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"Authorities" had not responded by that time," she added.
The oversight body, the investigative body, had stated that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the incident.
The legal representative said the children were struggling to walk due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson called the police once more.
She said the man then engaged in the "sweet game" in a space of five youngsters.
