A man who spiked treats with sleeping medication and provided them to youngsters at a summer program in the area has confessed to sexual offenses against two young males who were nine and 10.
The defendant was detained after eight minors and a grown-up became sick at the facility in July.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the judicial center on recently.
Nevertheless, he disputed a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was held in detention prior to a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, described the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She said his victims were under-privileged children who were participating in a youth camp which he managed.
Ruben played a "sweet game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel stated, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and request they to consume candy "rapidly".
She told the court the defendant had engaged in this activity with the children "for many years", and children had previously become sick the next day.
She explained the man had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had suspicions in July 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "In the summer" his family member had worries about what was going on, justifiably.
"They chose" to have a look in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC stated items including lubricant, Vaseline and syringes were located, and his family member contacted the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She stated the defendant went on to conduct the "sweet game" with six boys that night - that Saturday - and they were all ill the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that stage," she added.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was examining the police response of the incident.
Mrs Prior stated the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the stepson notified the law enforcement a second time.
She said the defendant then conducted the "candy game" in a area of five youngsters.
